Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis was granted a 40 percent rating from September 17, 2019 to July 25, 2022. The right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were each granted a 20 percent rating effective August 27, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete records.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a lower back disability, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee instability, and right knee instability are being remanded.,An effective date prior to July 23, 2010, is denied for the grants of service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's cervical strain, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis (back disability), right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper and left upper extremity radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and knee limitations are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted at a 10 percent rating effective January 11, 2020. The left ankle disability and cervical spine condition are both remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left hip disability and secondary service connection to his back disability. The evidence did not establish that the current left hip condition was incurred in or aggravated by service, nor is there sufficient medical nexus linking it to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee instability is rated at a separate 10 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. A temporary total rating for a total right knee replacement was granted effective December 16, 2013. The Veteran also received a 30 percent disability rating following a period of temporary total rating due to convalescence for his right knee post-traumatic osteoarthritis prior to July 11, 2019.,The appeal is remanded as the issues regarding entitlement to increased ratings and service connection are not fully addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning and lack of examination for determining whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations to address his claims of service connection for TBI, increased ratings for left ankle and shoulder disabilities. The current evidence does not provide sufficient information to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg joint condition, including osteoarthritis of the right knee and/or hip, as secondary to a service-connected lumbar strain disability.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, but has remanded the issues regarding bilateral femoral neuritis and service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee disorder, finding that it did not begin during service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation and continuity of symptomatology is not established. The Board determined that the post-service injury in 1999 was the cause of his current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right bicipital tendon tear, right rotator cuff tendinitis, and AC right shoulder joint osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are attributable to a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in July 1971.

Service connection for a respiratory disability is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for left elbow, insomnia (claimed as mental health disorder), and gastrointestinal disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder are denied. A temporary total evaluation due to right elbow surgery is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), finding that it is etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a different examiner regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the Veteran's diagnosis and symptomatology, as well as to determine which impairment is attributable to each condition. The issues include a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right-hand wound and TDIU prior to November 23, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it was aggravated by falls resulting from his service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (l) based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, associated atrophy of the right deltoid muscle, atrophy of the right biceps muscle, and paresthesias of the right median nerve distribution.