Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the right hip and prostate cancer.,The Board has also remanded several issues, including increased ratings for lumbar sacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted initial disability ratings of 30 percent for painful motion during flexion, with the condition that these awards are subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, initial compensable rating for eczema prior to March 29, 2018, and higher initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with separate 10 percent ratings assigned for radiculopathy of both the right and left lower extremities are remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for further medical opinions.

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

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder is rated at 30 percent, effective March 24, 2015. The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the issue regarding a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Veteran's claims for sebaceous cyst, squamous cell skin cancer, and actinic keratosis have been dismissed as withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease has been remanded. The other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted service connection. The right knee strain claim is remanded for a VA opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a temporary total rating for convalescence following left foot surgery, but the issues of increased rating and service connection for bilateral pes planus and ankle conditions are remanded due to need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's disability rating for lumbar spine osteoarthritis was granted at a 20 percent level, effective as of the date of the May 2016 VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various knee and leg conditions, as well as for service connection for several other conditions, were dismissed because the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal.,The Veteran also had claims to reopen denied, but these are not considered in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations to determine if the Veteran's diagnosed foot disabilities are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathy are granted increased ratings, with separate ratings for each lower extremity. TDIU is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability and remanded the issue of service connection for an eye disability.,Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on various service connection claims have been withdrawn.,All issues of increased ratings and TDIU have also been withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand and left knee disorders, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back pain (diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine) due to continuity of symptoms since service and a presumed link between the condition and service.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the spine are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been granted service connection, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.,A remand has been ordered for further examination regarding a chronic kidney disability, potentially due to undiagnosed illness during service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left shoulder disability was denied. From September 5, 2011 to July 19, 2018, the Veteran was rated at 20 percent and from July 19, 2018, he was rated at 40 percent.