Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome is rated at 40 percent since June 27, 2013. Prior to that date, his disability was characterized by pain and limited forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine (30 degrees or less), but no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee degenerative arthritis was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability from December 10, 2021, was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several issues, including those related to right knee and ankle osteoarthritis, shoulder osteoarthritis with impingement, diabetes mellitus, unspecified depressive disorder, rheumatoid arthritis of the left knee, and rheumatoid arthritis of the right knee.,The Board also remanded two issues: entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for total right knee replacement from April 1, 2017, and service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision. The issues remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's muscle group injuries and right hip arthritis, specifically whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for Osgood-Schlatter's disease with osteoarthritis and limitation of motion of the left knee was denied. However, he received an initial evaluation of 20 percent for instability of the left knee prior to July 21, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and the Board denied entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee strain, right knee strain, and degenerative arthritis of the spine have been denied. The reduction from a 20 percent rating to a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine effective December 7, 2016 was proper.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service or secondary to his right knee disability. The claim will be readjudicated after any additional development.

The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, tinnitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his service.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected right knee sprain. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hypertension remains in a similar state.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions with associated radiculopathies, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, tinnitus, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, right Achilles tendonitis, left and right lower extremity varicose veins, right thumb arthritis, right ear hearing loss, hemangioma of the left scalp, left thigh meralgia paresthetica, right foot metatarsophalangeal arthritis, and right foot scar, are found to be sufficiently severe to render him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background. As such, a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from June 30, 2011 to June 28, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to address the issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right knee disability and a temporary total evaluation following his November 10, 2021, right knee surgery.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to a back injury during active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran's current right and left ankle conditions are related to his service, including any in-service injuries. The tinea manuum case is also being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss, increased rating for osteoarthritis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for a left wrist disorder due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's GERD and cervical spine degenerative arthritis were found to not meet the criteria for higher ratings prior to August 19, 2022. The thoracolumbar strain was also found not to meet the criteria for a higher rating as of that date.,Further examination is needed to determine if there are any additional symptoms or functional limitations that warrant higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative arthritis, finding no evidence of chronic in-service disease or injury that led to current disability. The Board also found no credible continuity of symptomatology since service and concluded that any current degenerative arthritis is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not undergo right knee surgery or immobilization by cast in 2017 or 2019, or at any other time during the period on appeal. The claims for temporary 100 percent ratings are denied.