Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent prior to January 4, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded this issue for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic gastrointestinal disorder, bilateral hallux valgus, and bilateral osteoarthritis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were caused by military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and lumbar degenerative joint disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.,Service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these disabilities during active duty. The Veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to post-service events.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, attributed to ankylosing spondylitis, is granted as service-connected due to its onset within one year of his separation from active duty and the presence of compensable symptoms.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for headaches was denied. The Board also remanded the cases regarding left hip degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective findings from an appropriate clinician regarding the severity of her service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis of both knees due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back condition, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence showing a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for kidney stones, finding that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether his kidney stones are proximately due or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The issues include determining if the Veteran's kidney stones have been aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bowel and gastrointestinal conditions, hepatitis C in remission, sinusitis, allergies (allergic rhinitis), skin disability (eczema, dermatitis, or lichen planus), unspecified joint pains, generalized degenerative arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, back disability, right lower extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, left wrist disability, and finger condition for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen their claims for service connection for neck strain (claimed as osteoarthritis of spine), back strain, patellofemoral syndrome of left knee, and patellofemoral syndrome of right knee. These conditions are considered direct service connections based on evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee, spine, and lower extremity conditions due to a lack of recent evaluations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations.,New evidence has not been received to reopen his service connection claims for right and left wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's left elbow osteoarthritis, impairment of supination and pronation with instability, was granted a 20 percent rating prior to April 25, 2023. From April 25, 2023, the Veteran is denied any increase in his rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine is remanded due to an incomplete VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and labral injury, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability during active service or within one year of discharge. The Board also found that the current condition is not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, an extraschedular rating for her right heel disability, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for her chronic rhinosinusitis.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, migrainous vertigo, and ulcerative proctitis have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for low back, neck, bilateral knee, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, migraines, and ulcerative proctitis.,The Veteran's elbow and wrist conditions, neuropathy, and dizziness/vertigo have not been evaluated yet. Further examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.