Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar spine disability were denied increased ratings. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his bilateral foot condition, right index finger condition, and left middle finger condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began in service or were related to exposure to cold weather.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability and provide estimated range of motion measurements during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for a new medical opinion regarding service connection for low back disability, including degenerative arthritis, DDD, and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, as secondary to service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for left knee instability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining x-rays and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left sciatic nerve radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and left femoral nerve radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each. The Veteran's left hip degenerative joint disease status/post total replacement has been granted a temporary total rating from December 3, 2013 to January 31, 2015, and a disability rating of 70 percent from February 1, 2015 to July 23, 2018. The Veteran's left hip degenerative joint disease status/post total replacement has been denied for ratings in excess of 70 percent since July 24, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PTSD and TBI, have rendered him unable to dress or undress himself and require regular aid and attendance due to his mental incapacity.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability and entitlement to service connection for a separate condition are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left ankle disability prior to November 4, 2020 or from November 4, 2020 onwards. For his right knee total replacement, the claim was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of various knee, hip, and nerve conditions. The reduction in rating for right knee osteoarthritis from 20% to 10% was also found improper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The AOJ will seek additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right hip OA with limitation of extension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to February 26, 2020 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 20, 2017 is remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment history and any vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hip and foot disabilities, psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders, hearing loss, vertigo, vision loss, hyperlipidemia, GERD, skin rashes, hand circulatory condition, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a foot disability other than pes planus, claimed as secondary to pes planus due to an inadequate VA medical opinion. The Veteran's lay statements regarding worsening symptoms during service are considered.

The Veteran's cervical strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent from November 27, 2017, through December 13, 2022, and at 30 percent since December 14, 2022. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorders. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee disorders are directly related to military service, or if they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee, bilateral foot, lumbar spine and/or left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral foot gout, and left foot osteoarthritis as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis in the Veteran's medical records.