Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is now rated at 70% from July 19, 2017. The rating for the left foot metatarsalgia was also granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's left ankle disability is not service-connected, while his lumbar spine disability remains under review.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including verification of service dates and obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's arthritis of the arms and status-post tonsillectomy.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by severe degenerative arthritis with collapse of the articular surface and a large exostosis post-surgery, has been rated at 70 percent since July 18, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and right ankle disability have been granted initial ratings of 10% each, with the left knee flexion limitation being the only issue that warranted a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to additional development and readjudication.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left knee osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and piriformis syndrome of the left leg were denied. The current ratings are 10 percent each.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E services to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing is remanded due to pre-decisional errors and the need for further evaluation by a VRC considering his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and instability were incurred during active service, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as a low back condition) due to new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran, which shows he was treated for lower back pain during his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation greater than 20 percent.,A separate claim for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to January 11, 2019 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the appellant's right upper extremity disability, diagnosed as right shoulder bicipital tendon tear and degenerative arthritis, is causally related to his service-connected left shoulder disability. As such, the claim for secondary service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10% prior to January 5, 2018 and increased to 20% since that date. The current rating of 20% is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left foot osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence relating the osteoarthritis to his active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative disease, bilateral knee conditions, hypertension, and left carotid arterial endarterectomy. The issues include rating determinations for these conditions as well as a determination of TDIU prior to March 9, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip and left hip, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his service.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for service-connected depressive disorder is granted, and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete findings in a previous VA examination and requests for additional information.

The Board denied service connection for shin splints and denied increased ratings for knee, ankle, and foot osteoarthritis. The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were rated under Diagnostic Code 5260 (limitation of flexion) with a maximum rating of 10 percent each. Separate 10 percent ratings were granted for right and left knee instability. Separate 30 percent ratings were granted for right and left foot osteoarthritis.