Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of right knee replacement, status post osteoarthritis, as secondary to his service-connected right great toe fracture. The issues regarding left knee replacement and painful scars are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder was granted. The claims for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and for hip and low back disabilities were remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder and toenail disabilities due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and right knee osteoarthritis. The RO found no prior intent to file a claim for these conditions before July 13, 2018.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative arthritis and spondylosis of the lumbar spine was increased to 40 percent effective September 6, 2016. Prior to this date, the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for trochanteric bursitis and osteoarthritis of the left hip, to include as secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is remanded. Additionally, his claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected status post left knee arthroplasty (previously rated as residuals, left knee injury) is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and its associated radiculopathy.,Service connection was also granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, bilateral foot condition, and skin cancer as a result of herbicide exposure. The decision concluded that the Veteran did not have chronic conditions in service or within presumptive periods, and there was no evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee injury, osteoarthritis, and scars have been denied. The current ratings are consistent with the severity of his conditions as documented in medical records.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is now rated at 20 percent effective September 3, 2013.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to painful motion and degenerative arthritis. A separate 10 percent rating for arthritis with painful motion has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the examiner's report and the need for a new examination to clarify when the Veteran's osteoarthritis had its onset.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post total left knee arthroplasty, and osteoarthritis of the right knee, with meniscal tear. The Board found that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the appellant's in-service duties involving heavy lifting.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of ankylosis or marked limitation of motion.,For her pes planus and chronic constipation claims, additional evidence is needed as VA examinations are required.

The Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent disability evaluation for dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion since October 3, 2019. The other issues remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional medical records.,The Veteran is also required to provide private treatment records from his doctors.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at zero percent, as there is no evidence of more severe impairment.,For the right knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome prior to September 19, 2018, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.,From September 19, 2018, the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent due to limited range of motion and pain. However, this rating is denied as it does not exceed the maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes.,For the left knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the lower back, bilateral upper extremity osteoarthritis, and bilateral lower extremity osteoarthritis as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right and left knees is granted as service connected due to aggravation by her service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claims for increased evaluations for lumbosacral and thoracic degenerative disc disease, cervical degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and an earlier effective date for TDIU are remanded.