Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right ear hearing loss and a higher rating for their back disability.

The appeal for prostate cancer was dismissed because it was already granted. The veteran's rating for a left foot disorder was restored to 20%. The appeals for higher ratings for the left foot and knee disorders were remanded.

The veteran was granted a 10% disability rating for right knee osteoarthritis based on limitation of flexion from August 7, 2015. A separate compensable disability rating for the same condition based on limitation of extension was denied prior to December 18, 2023, but granted at 30% from that date onward.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 11, 2018, stating that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment during that period.

The Board remanded all issues related to the veteran's knee, ankle, and foot disabilities for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the left wrist and a back disability, to include degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and thoracic spondylosis, as secondary to service-connected lower extremity disabilities. The remand requires additional development including obtaining updated medical opinions that address all relevant evidence.

The veteran was granted initial ratings for right and left knee strain, including meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, based on dislocated cartilage. The veteran was also granted an initial rating for right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis. However, the request for a higher rating for the right shoulder strain and residuals of total knee replacements were remanded.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for left knee joint osteoarthritis limitation of extension and right knee lateral instability were denied. The veteran was granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from February 11, 2021, to October 18, 2022, but the claims for higher ratings after that date were denied.

The veteran's service connection for a cervical spine condition and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness was granted. The veteran's rating for unspecified anxiety disorder was restored to 70 percent. Other issues were denied or remanded.

Service connection for the veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis with radiculopathy, is granted effective October 27, 2014.

The Board dismissed some claims for increased ratings and denied others. It granted a rating of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU from February 5, 2021, through June 9, 2021. The Board also remanded claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for fecal urgency/incontinence and SMC based upon the need for aid and attendance/housebound.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations for left knee instability, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and sesamoiditis of the right foot were denied. However, the veteran's evaluation for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was restored to 20 percent effective February 1, 2022.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate examinations and missing records.

The Board remanded the claim for a higher rating of the veteran's left ankle condition due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran will receive another examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating higher than 70% for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of left hip joint replacement, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and right hip joint replacement. The earliest possible effective date is March 26, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's neck disability, tinnitus, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and headaches. The decision was based on an approximate balance of evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The claim for restoration of the 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids was granted. Claims for cervical degenerative arthritis and left upper extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

Service connection for a back disability was denied, but the issue of service connection for headaches was remanded.

Service connection for hyperkalemia is denied. All other issues are remanded for further evaluation.