Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing private treatment records. The Veteran's left knee condition is being reviewed for service connection, secondary effect of his right knee disability, aggravation by his right knee disability, and whether it began during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as residuals of groin surgery) secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions regarding a retrospective examination of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Board has withdrawn the issue of entitlement to a higher initial evaluation for degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial evaluation for right hip strain is remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Veteran's initial 20% rating for lumbar strain/spasm prior to May 25, 2022 is granted. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis/lumbar disability from May 25, 2022 is rated at 40%. The effective date for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy is set at October 10, 2018.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted prior to November 26, 2021. From that date, the Veteran's PTSD/MDD alone qualifies for a grant of TDIU and SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The left ankle sprain rating has been restored to 20 percent effective October 27, 2014.

The Veteran's right elbow osteoarthritis with bursitis is currently rated at 10% for painful limitation of extension and a separate 10% rating since September 14, 2020, for painful limitation of flexion. The left knee disability remains remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a combined-effects examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 11, 2018. Effective from July 11, 2018, the Veteran is now entitled to a rating of 20 percent for his cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current back and stomach conditions and his military service. The missing medical records will be obtained, and a new VA examination will be conducted to assess whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied, and his claims for bilateral knee disabilities were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities have been granted.,However, the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, chondromalacia of the right knee, chondromalacia of the left knee patella (status post lateral release), and surgical scars of the left knee (status post arthroscopy) are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations that comply with prior Board instructions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence does not support a direct or secondary service connection. The claim was remanded multiple times due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions.,The Veteran seeks higher disability ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with chronic lumbar strain, lower back spasm, and IVDS. The Board has requested an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to estimate the Veteran's range of motion during repeated use over time and during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sinusitis and left knee degenerative arthritis for further evaluation due to insufficient examinations conducted over 8 years ago.

The Veteran's skin disability is currently rated at 60 percent, effective October 11, 2007. The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss and hypertension have been denied, while his knee disabilities remain under review.,Service connection for the Veteran's left toe condition (gout), diabetes (due to service-connected hypertension), and right knee osteoarthritis with subluxation are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to discrepancies in the Veteran's service dates and a need for clarification on her bilateral foot condition. A new VA medical opinion is required to determine the nature, etiology, and relationship of her current foot conditions to her military service.