Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's low back disorder, characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 30 degrees or less without unfavorable ankylosis, has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of both knees.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for headaches/migraine headaches was dismissed as the August 12, 2005 grant of service connection has long been final. The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected.,An initial rating of 10 percent for right knee joint osteoarthritis and a separate 10 percent rating based on removal of semilunar cartilage are granted. The Veteran also has other issues remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back, neck, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The VA must obtain updated medical opinions addressing the severity of these conditions without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee disability is granted. Service connection for right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis is also granted, but the issues of service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatica are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee disorders, as her recent surgeries may have affected their progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are related to his service-connected left ankle disability. The VA examinations were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be related to active service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The issues of secondary service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims related to his thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, shingles with post-herpetic neuralgia, and bilateral knee disability. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected right ankle condition is denied. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as it pertains to herbicide exposure and secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The evaluation for his right thumb fracture with degenerative arthritis remains at 10 percent, but the evaluation for his right fifth metatarsal fracture with degenerative arthritis has been increased to 30 percent from March 25, 2022 onwards. Service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding exposure.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since November 7, 2017. The RO has denied increased ratings for the right knee instability prior to May 14, 2021 and from May 14, 2021, as well as for the left knee instability prior to December 5, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate discussion of the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's left knee symptoms, and for an examination and medical opinion addressing the Veteran's impairment without considering the ameliorating effects of meloxicam, ibuprofen, and hydrocortisone cream.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, as the previous VA examiner's opinion did not address whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right hip disability.

The Veteran's increased ratings for low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted. The issues of service connection for a respiratory disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU prior to April 4, 2022 remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment since November 17, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been granted. The claim for a higher rating for his left ankle disability is denied, and the claim for service connection for his skin disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability was denied as the evidence did not show any additional impairment warranting a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's cervical strain is rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating of 30 percent is granted.,TDIU from February 28, 2008, is granted.