Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to an inaccurate factual premise in a previous VA examination report, and needs additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left shoulder disability and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied. The current ratings are considered appropriate based on the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his thoracolumbar spine condition was remanded. His need for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance was also remanded due to the lack of evidence showing he requires regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's appeal of a rating in excess of 70 percent for persistent depressive disorder is dismissed. The Board grants a separate 30 percent rating for limitation of extension from April 18, 2014 to March 2, 2018 in the right knee and denies ratings in excess of 10 percent for other knee issues and asthma. Compensation for total disability based on individual unemployability prior to November 17, 2017 is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine condition was granted with an effective date of February 7, 1996.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction of disability ratings for knee conditions was upheld, but the Veteran did not receive a compensable rating for his hernias.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right wrist and an increased rating for his left knee disability, finding that there was no current diagnosis of arthritis in either condition. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the severity of his back, hip, and knee conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disorder, finding that his current conditions are not directly related to military service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bronchitis as there is no evidence of a chronic disability within one year following separation from active service.,There are no diagnoses or treatment records indicating the Veteran had any chronic conditions during his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and will consider this evidence in their re-adjudication.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a 20% rating.

The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as the current VA examiner's opinion is inadequate. The Veteran contends that his sleep apnea is due or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, but the examiner did not consider these factors in their assessment.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, right ankle melanoma, left wrist disorders, and left club foot. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed shoulder conditions, specifically whether they are aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine disorder, and right foot disorder.

The Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with osteoarthritis was restored to a 20 percent evaluation effective April 1, 2017.

The Veteran's reduced rating for lumbar IVDS with degenerative arthritis is restored to 40 percent. A 40 percent rating effective from September 19, 2012, for IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. A 20 percent initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has ordered the case remanded for additional medical opinions to address both direct service connection and secondary service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees, including consideration of aggravation.