Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded two issues: 1) entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and 2) entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected patellofemoral syndrome and arthritis of the left knee. The remand is due to inadequate March 2017 VA examination used by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, even one that involves sedentary type work.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left ankle disorders prior to July 2, 2018, are denied. Ratings in excess of 10 percent thereafter are also denied.,Service connection for a back disorder is remanded due to the Veteran's testimony regarding his current symptoms and history.

The Board has identified multiple issues on appeal related to service connection for various disabilities. The AOJ must review the claims in light of all received evidence and provide a Supplemental Statement of the Case if necessary.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis is denied as her flexion of the cervical spine was at worst 30 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The issues of service connection for low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected left femoral acetabular impingement syndrome. The initial rating for limitation of abduction and adduction due to femoral acetabular impingement syndrome remains at 10 percent, while the initial compensable rating for flexion limitation is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability and a right hip disability is being remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial. The issues of whether these disabilities are related to service or caused by a service-connected left knee disability are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for evaluation of right and left knee degenerative arthritis due to incomplete development as requested in a prior remand. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant VA and private treatment records, including those from November 2014 to present.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as lumbar spondylosis and disc bulging with disc degeneration. The decision also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral ankle disability, neck pain, and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates of April 25, 2008 for grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis, left and right knee/leg as secondary to the service-connected disability of residuals of rupture left achilles tendon are granted. The claim for increased rating for residuals of rupture left Achilles tendon is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals seeking increased ratings from September 29, 2015 to the present for his cervical spine and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim giving rise to the grants of service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathies was received in July 2011; entitlement was established during a September 2015 VA examination.,The Veteran’s neck claim was received in July 2011; it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran met the criteria for a 20 percent rating for his neck disability prior to September 29, 2015.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right inguinal hernia repair residuals were not conducted at the requested location in Ann Arbor. As a result, these cases are being remanded to schedule new examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% schedular rating, effective as of the date of the decision. The issues regarding right knee and left knee disabilities, cervical spine disability, and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has found that not all of the prior remand directives have been accomplished and has therefore ordered the case to be returned for compliance with the Board's previous instructions.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a recurrent respiratory disability and a recurrent urinary disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, claimed as cellulitis, is reopened. The Board has also remanded the claims for pes planus and other bilateral foot disorders due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right index finger disability and cervical spine degenerative arthritis were evaluated, but the Board found that a compensable rating was not warranted for either condition. The case is being remanded to further develop evidence.,For his cervical spine degenerative arthritis prior to March 5, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, the Veteran's disability did not warrant a higher rating as there was no objective evidence of pain or functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to active duty service.