Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent for chondromalacia patella of the right knee and a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle was denied.

The Board has granted a 30% rating for the Veteran's cervical spine strain from August 25, 2016. The remaining issues of increased ratings and separate ratings for radiculopathy are remanded due to lack of recent VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between his current conditions and service or service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has found that remand is necessary to obtain the Veteran's Air Force Reserve service records and to provide a VA examination for his right wrist osteoarthritis claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience as of May 23, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee disabilities, including a temporary total disability rating due to hospitalization and convalescence after surgery, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of right foot drop. The rating for residuals of transverse process fractures at T-12, L1, L3, and L4, with herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1, has been increased to 60 percent from December 1, 2014.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability. The case is remanded for further development, including VA examinations and rating actions.

The Veteran's right little finger disability has been granted a 10 percent rating, effective July 28, 2009. The temporary total disability rating for convalescence following surgery was extended through June 17, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to preclude substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the spine and arthritis of the fingers, but denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety disorder, but the case is remanded to determine if right knee degenerative arthritis should be considered secondary to left knee disability.

The reductions in ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities were not proper and are void ab initio.

The Veteran's right ankle condition has worsened since his last VA examination, and he is unable to perform certain activities due to pain. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and chronic strain of the left ankle are being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including a back disability, sleep apnea, skin disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the current condition was not related to service and is not presumed due to a disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the spine is at least as likely as not due to his active service, and all reasonable doubt must be resolved in favor of the Veteran. Therefore, service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted.