Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, status post medial meniscectomy and left knee ostearthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,His left and right knee arthritis are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher rating possible.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with cervical spondylosis is granted, and his bilateral foot disability other than left foot fracture residuals, to include pes planus, hallux valgus, and left foot arthritis, remains at a 10 percent rating. Separate ratings are granted for left foot arthritis (10%) and left foot hallux valgus (noncompensable).

The Board has denied increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, and has remanded the issues of service connection for a left eye condition and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities permanently confine him to his place of residence and immediate premises, which is necessary to decide his SMC claim. The AOJ must also obtain all outstanding records from VA and any private treatment providers.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including those related to the Veteran's neck disorder, neuropathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, hip disorder, sleep apnea, right knee surgical scar, traumatic arthritis of the right knee, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar strain with degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, foot disorders (pes planus, metatarsalgia, hammertoes, hallux valgus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative joint disease), and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to improper reliance on previous VA medical opinions and inadequate rationale. The Veteran's left foot conditions are being examined again to determine their relationship to service, including his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis was granted with an effective date of March 18, 1988. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was reopened and the issue is currently pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to August 29, 2013, for the award of service connection for a low back disability was denied. The Board found that no formal or informal claim had been filed before this date and thus, no earlier effective date could be assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his left ankle disability and right foot/heel disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet decided whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen each individual claim.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus. The other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral tibia pain have been granted service connection.,A disability rating for the service-connected conditions will be determined upon remand.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have not been found to meet the criteria for service connection as defined by VA regulations.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, but only if it is determined that the condition began during active duty or is related to such service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for hemorrhoids and arthritis of the right shoulder, as well as service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for DJD of the left knee, degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the upper extremities (claimed as median neuritis) as these conditions are not found to be directly or secondary to a service-connected disability.,Specifically, the Board determined that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's left knee DJD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis and IVDS, or radiculopathy of the upper extremities (claimed as median neuritis) to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine spondylitis, osteophytosis, and degenerative arthritis are related to his active duty service. However, the claim must be remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent prior to December 28, 2016.,From December 28, 2016 onwards, the Veteran is entitled to a 40 percent evaluation for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further examination and evaluation due to incomplete testing in previous examinations.