Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination findings and failure to comply with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 10 percent for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage is granted. The right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran’s left knee disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond 10 percent due to painful motion without additional limitation of flexion or extension.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for right foot plantar warts with osteoarthritis, great toe was granted. The Board found new and material evidence had been received and the claim is reopened. However, service connection for a right foot disability remains remanded due to need for additional medical opinions and VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right hip disorder because no new and material evidence was received to support the claim.

The Veteran's right lateral epicondylitis is related to in-service injuries and granted service connection.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as the disorder began during active service.,Degenerative arthritis of the right knee and arthritis of the right ankle are not service-connected, with no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Bilateral hearing loss is rated at 0% (noncompensable) due to current hearing acuity levels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinus/allergic rhinitis, headache condition, hypertension, skin cancer of the bilateral arms, high cholesterol, bilateral shoulder condition, appendix removal residuals, colon condition, GERD, brain stem stroke, sleep apnea, and heart condition. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating greater than 40 percent for his lumbar condition is denied.,It is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran’s lumbar condition increased in severity to warrant a 40 percent disability rating prior to August 9, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation of his thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. A new examination must be conducted and the results will determine if the Veteran should receive a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, including chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis. The initial rating for the left knee condition remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a separate compensable rating of 10 percent for right knee lateral instability, but not higher. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of moderate or severe lateral instability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and providing nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for increased special monthly compensation.

The Board denied service connection for right hand osteoarthritis of the first CMC joint and second and fifth IP joints, finding no causal relationship to military service or a service-connected condition. The TDIU claim was granted with an effective date of September 25, 2013.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence, including missing imaging studies and medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient January 2010 VA examination opinion and a need for an additional VA medical opinion regarding service connection for IVDS with degenerative arthritis changes and peripheral nerve deficit of the right extremity.