Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has identified new evidence added to the claims file since the September 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and has ordered that it be reviewed by the AOJ before readjudicating your claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to February 11, 2022, as well as SMC based on aid and attendance are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and procedural steps.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection. The Board finds that no earlier effective date can be granted as the increase in disability is not factually ascertainable within one year prior to the claim.,The Veteran also seeks earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims were previously denied but reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes posterolateral ligament reconstruction and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the current evaluation does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as there are no findings of actual or functional flexion limited to 15 degrees or less; actual or functional extension limited to 10 degrees or greater; a meniscus condition or removal of semilunar cartilage; ankylosis; or genu recurvatum.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right and left tennis elbow, left shoulder arthritis, left hand neuropathy, right leg neuropathy, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted. The PACT Act expanded the presumptive exposure for hypertension to include veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetic retinopathy and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is a result of his service-connected bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hand disorder, including osteoarthritis of the first metacarpal joint and claimed as swelling. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the evaluation in excess of 10 percent and 0 percent for right hip osteoarthritis with limitation of extension, which was dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity during service or after service to support a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and right leg radiculopathy were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, precluded her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 8, 2019.

The appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded, as are the appeals for vertigo, weak bone density, and a chronic skin condition.

The Veteran's appeal of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction has been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded the issues of initial increased (compensable) rating for left hip degenerative arthritis, service connection for chronic back pain, and service connection for right knee and left knee chronic pain.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been granted.,Effective from July 23, 2007, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. Effective from May 10, 2021, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since July 23, 2007. The effective date remains unchanged.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not rated higher than 10 percent due to limited flexion. The claim for increased rating remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and left knee conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has identified several issues on appeal, including claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow the AOJ to consider all evidence, including new VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee flexion, extension, and osteoarthritis disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to assess his current range of motion and functional impairment.

The Veteran's cervical myositis and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with bulging disc are currently rated at 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The initial 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from July 16, 2013 to June 13, 2023 is granted. From June 14, 2023 onwards, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The case is REMANDED for further development regarding left lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU.