Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial rating for his right shoulder condition has been increased to 20 percent, effective September 2017. The appeal is remanded due to the need to address the issue of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability but denied service connection for a dental disability (for compensation purposes). The claim was reopened due to new and material evidence received since the April 1983 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claim for an adequate examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder from March 1, 2010 onward due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 4, 2018 and granted a 20 percent rating beginning on that date.,The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to September 4, 2018 and granted a 20 percent rating beginning on that date. A separate 10 percent rating for lateral instability of the right knee is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to new evidence indicating worsening of her condition. The case is now pending for further action.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and he is entitled to a rating of 70 percent for his combined service-connected disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for Right Shoulder Degenerative Arthritis and Left Upper Extremity Ulnar Neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine have been rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The case has been remanded for further development to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not service-connected.,Prior to June 29, 2016, the Veteran's premature ventricular contractions were rated at 10 percent. From June 29, 2016 onwards, a rating of 30 percent was granted.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for back arthritis and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim. The Board also found no evidence to support service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of the Veteran's service connection claims for right and left hip degenerative arthritis due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for her back disability.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability has also been rated based on limitation of motion. She is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for an addendum etiological opinion regarding service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with first vertebra fracture, as secondary to service-connected pes cavus with pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to October 28, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent from that date, for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc syndrome. The claim for service connection was denied due to lack of evidence showing the onset or aggravation of a cervical spine disability during service.

The Veteran's right knee instability has been granted a 30 percent evaluation as of October 12, 2016. The extension limitation is not considered for rating purposes due to the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5261.

The Board dismissed the service connection claim for a right foot condition and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability and diabetes mellitus. The denial is based on a lack of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right hip disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any current right hip condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with right sciatic nerve involvement and lumbar degenerative arthritis is being remanded for an updated VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder and right shoulder osteoarthritis, unspecified depressive disorder, hypertension, hepatitis C, headache, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are all granted service connection.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran had moderate instability of his right knee prior to September 12, 2018, but not severe enough to warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5257. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage. TDIU on an extraschedular basis was also remanded.