Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's back disability and lower extremity radiculopathies have been rated based on their severity, with some separate ratings for specific nerves involved. The initial rating of 40% has been granted from October 14, 2020, to February 27, 2023, for the back disability and lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not show that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for back injury residuals due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left knee limitation of flexion was denied as the evidence did not show that it resulted in flexion being functionally limited to 30 degrees or less, and extension remained full. The TDIU claim was also denied due to insufficient evidence showing inability to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for blindness, including light perception only, and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Service connection for asthma has also been denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition related to service or undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's bilateral knee instability is granted with separate ratings for right and left knees under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has denied service connection for a right hip disorder due to the lack of evidence of a current disability. The appeal is remanded for further development, including an examination to determine if the Veteran's scoliosis and degenerative disc disease are related to his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and a back disability secondary to bilateral knee osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for the appellant's lumbar spine disability, effective May 10, 2018. The right shoulder scars are rated at 10 percent since March 24, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for right knee strain and service connection for hearing loss due to scheduling issues with VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 17, 2018, finding that his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to additional evidence added since the April 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service connection for a left wrist TFCC tear is granted. The rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for benign prostatic hypertrophy with urge incontinence (BPH) is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities. The issues of service connection for pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and right degenerative arthritis are now pending.

The Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus were granted initial ratings, while the overactive bladder condition was granted a maximum schedular rating. Service connection for stomach condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, back condition, high cholesterol, low vitamin D, and left knee condition were denied.

An effective date of January 16, 2017 is granted for a 50 percent rating for right hip osteoarthritis. The Veteran's disability remains rated at 30 percent prior to this date and at 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective November 23, 2016. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted prior to this date.,The Veteran's status post compression fracture T-12 and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's cervical degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left hip strain affecting limitation of extension is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left hip strain affecting limitation of flexion is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a compensable rating is warranted.,The Veteran's stricture of the esophagus is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a compensable rating is warranted.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right hip disability, which may be secondary to his left hip disabilities. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if this condition is related to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which may be secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if this condition is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for denying a higher rating for the Veteran's low back disability. The matter is being sent back for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as residuals of a torn right knee meniscus and left knee degenerative arthritis. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.