Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left foot shrapnel injury, including residuals of pain, osteoarthritis, and neuropathy, is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable evaluation are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis were denied. Separate 10% ratings were granted for slight subluxation and instability in both knees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for right shoulder degenerative arthritis is denied as the earliest allowable effective date is December 6, 2011.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis, was granted service connection. The other claims for psychiatric disorder, hypertension, sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and denied an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating for the entire appeal period. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is granted a 40 percent rating for the period from December 13, 2012, to April 11, 2016.,For the period from April 11, 2016, onward, the Veteran's service-connected back disability does not warrant a higher than 40 percent rating.,The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for his cervical spine disability throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination in prior VA examinations conducted during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including a need for updated VA treatment records, new examinations, and consideration of all symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and left foot osteoarthritis, as well as his claims for service connection for asthma, chronic lung problems, COPD, Meniere's syndrome, and sleep apnea have been dismissed. The validity of the Veteran’s combined evaluation has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions, do not render him unemployable for purposes of establishing entitlement to TDIU or SMC housebound.

The Veteran's right knee condition, characterized by daily flares of pain and swelling exacerbated with use, resulted in a 7 degree reduction in flexion and a 28 degree reduction of extension. The Board granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the time period from December 7, 2015 to January 6, 2020.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders. The decision does not specify the rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding service connection for tinnitus and increased ratings for several knee and hip conditions. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia patella and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence of instability or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to August 3, 2017, and 40 percent since, as well as for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right hip disability and stomach disorder due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider all relevant symptoms. The case will be returned for further proceedings.