Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of accurate measurement of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically regarding his forward flexion range of motion. The Veteran and his representative requested a new examination to ensure proper evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability, including glenohumbral and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis due to a lack of an adverse credibility finding regarding his lay reports of an in-service injury. The case is now pending with further examination and review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tear is aggravated by his service-connected partial left foot drop with left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral knee, left shoulder, right ankle, and right ankle scar disabilities have been granted service connection.,Residuals from a head injury (including traumatic brain injury and headaches) and bilateral detached retinas are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues, including right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of fracture, middle third, left clavicle is granted. The claim for folliculitis remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. Other claims are either granted or remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for bilateral pes planus and an upper back disability, but these issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from November 23, 2010 to February 25, 2011. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, has not met the criteria for a higher rating since June 30, 2013. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms have not resulted in forward thoracolumbar flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right ankle degenerative arthritis due to new evidence of worsening symptoms. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for fibromyalgia, but the Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of fibromyalgia or a distinct period during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and right eye disabilities due to insufficient examination results, lack of updated VA treatment records, and potential need for additional testing. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine due to lack of evidence linking it to active service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee, and right hand disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability. The TDIU issue is also remanded due to its connection to other remanded issues.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 50 percent since July 21, 2015. The issue of a TDIU prior to September 1, 2016, is now moot due to the temporary 100 percent rating for his right knee replacement.