Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome from June 6, 2008 is being remanded due to the failure to substantially comply with previous Board directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Board will schedule additional VA examinations to determine the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to July 6, 2021, for service connection of cervical degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and upper extremity radiculopathy were denied.,An effective date prior to January 14, 2022, for a temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence was also denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right shoulder strain are granted service connection, while the right shoulder strain issue is remanded for further review.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for tension headaches, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, DDD of the cervical spine, and voiding dysfunction.

The Veteran's left hip disability is rated at 20 percent for limitation of flexion, but not granted a higher rating due to limitations in abduction and extension. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, combined, meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU effective June 27, 2014. The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 27, 2014 for her TDIU and DEA eligibility.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate loss of range of motion or symptoms to the degree required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis, right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis, hypertension, and right shoulder condition have all been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The right hip condition, avascular necrosis, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and coronary atherosclerosis are all under review.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as these conditions are considered manifestations of previously service-connected disabilities. The appeals for type two diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, urinary incontinence secondary to prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer or post-operative residuals of left knee Osgood-Schlatter's disease have been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding possible exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee, thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to procedural error.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee.

The Veteran's entitlement to a restoration of 90% disability rating for nuclear cataract and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema, both eyes, is granted effective August 1, 2022. The earlier effective date claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and/or housebound criteria is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to March 30, 2012, for the award of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine, status post-cervical spine fracture was denied. The Board found that there were no relevant service records added after April 8, 1996, which would have impacted the original denial in April 1996.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding increased ratings for PTSD, left calcaneal fracture residuals, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. Additionally, a TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis lumbosacral spine with spinal stenosis was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of his right knee disability, including obtaining physical therapy records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for retrospective opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected shoulder degenerative arthritis, back condition, and knee conditions.