Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and knee disorders due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spinal stenosis with disc bulge and degenerative arthritis, status post fusion is granted. The issue of service connection for a nerve condition of the lower extremities, including bilateral foot drop, radiculopathy, and polyneuropathy, including as due to a back disability, is also granted.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,Her left lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to schedule VA examinations as requested in previous remands. The issues on appeal are related to bilateral knee condition, left shoulder condition, low back condition, and diaphragm injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, specifically her degenerative arthritis. The case will be reviewed after a VA clinician provides an opinion on the etiology of her lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to April 30, 2013 and a higher initial rating for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's degenerative arthritis with IVDS, lumbar spine, had its onset in service or is otherwise related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the low back. The issue of secondary service connection for bilateral foot condition is now at issue, as well as whether the Veteran's heart condition is related to an episode of syncope during service in May 1993.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 6, 2013 for his service-connected right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's back condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The current 20% disability rating remains valid.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left knee and degenerative joint disease of the right knee, as his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for reopening of his service connection claims for various conditions due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his left knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive examination and X-ray imaging. The current VA examination findings are contradictory, and there is no recent medical records available.