Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, finding that it had its onset during his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of the Veteran's lumbar spine conditions, including his service connection claim.

The Board found that the reduction in disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 50% to 40% was proper, as there was actual improvement demonstrated by a contemporaneous VA examination. The reduction of the lumbar spine disability rating from 40% to 20% was not proper due to lack of evidence showing sustained material improvement under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was granted service connection effective October 27, 2020.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, and degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis was granted effective December 30, 2016. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) and left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), as well as his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve) and left lower extremity (femoral nerve), were all granted service connection effective December 30, 2016.,The Veteran's prostate cancer is rated at 100% since October 27, 2020.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings for cervical spine disability and LUE radiculopathy have been dismissed as the VA Form 10182 submitted did not clearly identify specific issues to appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee severe osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period of appeal.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent for instability. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as the flexion limitation does not meet the criteria for a greater rating under DCs 5260 or 5261.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, right hip strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, left great toe disability, and low back disability was granted. The Veteran also received a separate noncompensable rating for his left foot hammertoes and an initial compensable rating for his left hip skin disability. However, the Veteran's request for higher ratings for his right shoulder disability, headaches, and sleep apnea were not addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether he has rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and unclear findings on a VA examiner's opinion about his transitional vertebrae. Additional development is needed to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's right hip joint replacement residuals are granted a 70 percent rating, while the left hip degenerative arthritis and left thigh limitation of flexion remain at noncompensable ratings. A 100 percent rating is granted for PTSD as of December 9, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis and lumbosacral sprain, as well as whether it was caused or aggravated by these conditions. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining this information.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The claims are based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a medical opinion on secondary service connection, and an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's radiculopathy.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and cardiovascular disability were denied service connection. The Veteran was granted a 70% initial rating for his psychiatric disability prior to May 22, 2020.,TDIU benefits were also granted prior to May 22, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to the lack of credible evidence establishing an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's assertions about experiencing injuries during her assault were not found to be credible.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform sedentary employment despite his knee and hip conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and other conditions prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his back disability.