Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right and left foot hallux valgus, as well as other service-connected conditions, have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent since September 22, 2009. The Board has granted a higher rating for these conditions.,TDIU is granted effective September 22, 2009, based on the Veteran's service-connected orthopedic disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding an effective date prior to June 15, 2009 for service connection of right elbow olecranon spur with osteoarthritis. The claim for an earlier effective date for ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity remains pending and will be adjudicated by the AOJ.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent effective May 11, 2020, due to incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome resulting in a total duration of at least 6 weeks in the past 12 months.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate rationale in previous VA examination reports.

The Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is granted a 20% rating, while the ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities remain at 20%. The appeal was successful only in relation to the left wrist condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent for limitation of extension from September 22, 2016 to May 1, 2017 and at 40 percent since May 2, 2017. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a depressive disorder and an increased rating for his back disability was granted effective April 1, 2019. However, the Board denied requests for earlier effective dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his left-knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not warrant such an increase.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left radial and ulnar radicular pain, right radial and ulnar radicular pain with paresthesia, and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis as there was no evidence of a current disability or causation to active service.,The Board also denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent disabling for service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is August 30, 2017, which is when a reopened claim was received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened but not granted, the right hip osteoarthritis and PTSD were both denied, and the acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his current condition is related to his pre-existing condition prior to service and not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, as well as increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis and post-operative meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament tear. The reasons include inadequate previous examinations and the need to reschedule an examination due to the Veteran's absence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right shoulder conditions and his in-service helicopter crash injuries, as well as whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for her service-connected back disability from 20 percent to 10 percent was not proper and has restored the 20 percent rating. The case is being remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the current disabilities to his active duty service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus, effective March 30, 2015.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left hip and lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active military service or to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 40% rating, effective from July 18, 2017. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 50% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis with instability, but denied service connection for tailbone disability and lower back disability.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in duty to assist prior to the January and February 2017 rating decisions.