Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted a disability rating of 20 percent each, effective from June 3, 2014. The lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with lumbago and subluxation of L4-L5 was also granted a disability rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS, radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity, and PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and other specified depressive disorder are all granted as service-connected.,PTSD is linked to in-service stressors, while the other conditions have been granted on a direct basis.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is restored to a 20 percent rating, and his intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine and scoliosis is granted a 40 percent rating. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating beyond 40 percent for this condition remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including frequent episodes of locking, pain, and swelling, is now rated at a separate 20 percent effective from August 16, 2018.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to December 20, 2019. The Board has remanded the case for further development and proceedings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for his lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis due to a lack of adequate examination findings.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's recurrent lumbar spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disorders were not present during active duty, did not manifest within one year of service, and are not attributable to service.,Bilateral pes planus was identified as a pre-existing disability on entry into active duty, but the condition was not aggravated beyond its natural progression in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left shoulder strain, and right ankle strain. The denial is based on a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or were caused by his active service.,The Veteran was not diagnosed with any of these conditions until years after separation from service, and there is no medical evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for various conditions were denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The decision did not specify a particular effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 50 percent for OSA is denied. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee strain to include degenerative arthritis has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal through their authorized representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss was denied as she did not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss.,Service connection and an initial rating of 30 percent were granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease, effective May 8, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeal as it was not timely filed and the issue of an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis had already been decided by a final Board decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim has been rendered moot due to the combined schedular disability rating of 100 percent. His DEA benefits were also denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 23, 2015 for the appellant's service connection claims for a back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy.,Prior to this decision, the earliest claim received by VA was on August 7, 2017.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection, while his right and left knee disabilities are denied.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.