Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right shoulder condition prior to March 25, 2022 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited motion and dislocation.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition from May 1, 2023, met the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate October 2014 and March 2017 VA knee examinations. The Veteran underwent a left total knee replacement on October 18, 2022, and is currently rated at 30 percent for his left knee disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of a left knee condition was granted. Service connection is now established for left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella. The remaining issues, including those related to the neck, shoulder, sleep deprivation, lung disorder, and neuralgia, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sinusitis and TDIU were dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.,The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for sinusitis from December 14, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and congenital Thornwaldt cyst, finding no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS of the back, osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective June 26, 2017. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 15, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since October 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues remanded. An effective date of February 18, 2016 was established for the grant of a 10 percent rating for ethmoid sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA examination to determine the severity of the service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease disability. The examiner must provide range of motion estimates during flare-ups and express a determination on whether functional ability is significantly limited during these periods.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.,The Veteran's STRs document an incident where he was pinned between a truck, leading to injury to both knees. The VA examiner noted x-ray evidence of remote MCL injuries to both knees.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address whether the Veteran's hypertension is aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric condition or obstructive sleep apnea, and to determine the current severity of his lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear measurements in a VA examination report and the need for clarification regarding pain points, ankylosis, and treatment records. The issues of entitlement to higher evaluations for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, IVDS, and TDIU are pending.

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for bladder impairment associated with lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with lumbar spasm with IVDS is denied. The initial 10 percent rating for costochondritis with rib subluxation and left breast numbness prior to September 22, 2014, is granted, but the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent, effective December 11, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20% and denied for an increased rating. Other disabilities are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for his service-connected left wrist and shoulder conditions is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for pain radiating to the left buttocks and leg was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Claims for right foot, right knee, and left knee disabilities were reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The current rating of 40% remains unchanged.

The Board has granted service connection for lateral epicondylitis and osteoarthritis of the right elbow. The claim for left elbow condition is remanded.