Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for her right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations conducted in December 2014 and July 2018. The Veteran needs a new VA examination during a flare-up or after repetitive use over time, with an assessment of functional loss during such periods.

The Veteran's cervical spine osteoarthritis and retrolisthesis were not rated higher than 10 percent prior to July 19, 2012.,From July 19, 2012 to September 16, 2013, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his cervical spine osteoarthritis and retrolisthesis.,Since April 1, 2015, the Veteran's disability has been rated at 30 percent due to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating since April 1, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for right knee and left knee disorders, finding that the current conditions did not manifest during or within a presumptive period of service.,The Veteran's assertions about pre-service knee issues were not credible given the lack of documented findings in service records.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating for limited motion of the ankle. The combined rating from all service-connected disabilities is 80 percent.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 15, 2018 for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition and has remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent from May 15, 2018.

All previously denied claims for service connection have been dismissed.,A noncompensable rating has been granted for bilateral ankle sprains since June 3, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee posttraumatic osteoarthritis with possible loose body, finding that the disability was not related to his active service and attributing it instead to an intercurrent injury sustained after service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right ankle calcaneal spur with degenerative arthritis and associated scar require further evaluation due to potential worsening of symptoms since his last VA examination in May 2017. The case is being sent back for a new VA examination.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the schedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death. The appellant contends that the Veteran's coronary artery disease, which was not service-connected, and his service-connected left hip and knee arthritis disabilities caused him to fall and fracture his hip, leading to surgery and ultimately resulting in his death.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appeals regarding higher initial disability ratings for various orthopedic conditions.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's condition have been presented, and no further development is required.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and granted a total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 10% rating from September 6, 2012 to July 29, 2016. From July 29, 2016 onwards, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right shoulder pain, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, interstitial cystitis, and chronic fatigue, all claimed as secondary to asbestos exposure. The Veteran is asked to provide records of her in-service events and any documentation related to diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, coronary artery disease with myocardial infarction, frostbite injuries in each extremity, left elbow mild degenerative arthritis, right shoulder bursitis, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and hypertension, have resulted in the need for aid and attendance due to functional limitations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dental disability (claimed as teeth trauma) is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis due to missing VA and private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including a meniscal tear, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and total knee replacement, is linked to an injury sustained in active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis is granted as service-connected.,There is no evidence to support the claim for left knee strain, and it is denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Tinnitus is also granted as a service-connected condition.,Residual scars from the right shoulder are secondary to degenerative arthritis and are granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is characterized by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, but has not shown total occupational and social impairment. The claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD is granted.

The claim to reopen a previously denied service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis is granted. The claim of secondary service connection for the right knee condition due to left knee disability is denied.