Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it did not meet or approximate the criteria for ratings higher than 20 percent prior to October 28, 2019 and higher than 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve radiculopathy and lumbar disability have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent from March 1, 2016 to October 29, 2018. The cervical disability has also been granted an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have resulted in a loss of use of both legs, warranting higher level SMC.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's left ankle disability will need further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the diagnosis of polyosteoarthritis and a need for clarification. The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury during a baseball game.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral eye color blindness, but the cases of degenerative disc disease and post-traumatic right ankle osteoarthritis are remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, headaches, and osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot condition and right hip condition due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran needs further examination and opinion regarding his diagnosed conditions, as well as whether they are related to service or other disabilities.

The Veteran's ratings for his right knee, low back pain (claimed as degenerative arthritis), and radiculopathy in the bilateral lower extremities have been restored to their previous levels.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating was received on July 16, 2018. The Board denied the request for an earlier effective date as there is no evidence of a prior claim filed before November 14, 2017.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss, left ankle collateral ligament sprain, left lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, left shoulder glenohumeral joint and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, myopia and retinal hole lattice degeneration (claimed as bilateral eye retina problems, thinning, and vision decrease), right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right knee strain, right lower extremity sciatic nerve pain, right shoulder glenohumeral joint and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, a severe stomach and colon condition, fibromyalgia, steatohepatitis, vertigo and balance issues, and flat feet; and entitlement to increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain, GERD, left knee strain, restrictive lung disease, allergic rhinitis, PB, a skin rash, and tension headaches. The Veteran was also remanded for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the left ankle disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent at any time during the period on appeal, excluding the time period from January 26, 2018, through September 30, 2018, when he was in receipt of a 100% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination and medical opinion to address the Veteran's right hip/leg disability, including its relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right shoulder, bilateral knees, and migraine headaches have been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for a lymph node disability (claimed as neck ulcer) is remanded. The claim of service connection for migraine headaches is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease, left knee arthritis with history of meniscal tear, and right knee arthritis with history of meniscal tear due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, lumbosacral spine, with left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for his right ankle disability was remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions, including skin condition, flat feet, GERD, left knee condition, left wrist condition, and left wrist scar. The Veteran's fibromyalgia and hypertension were granted service connection.,Several issues are remanded for further review, including initial ratings for various disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to August 1, 2019. The Board has now remanded the claim for a higher rating.