Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities as the evidence does not show a current disability that had its onset during or is otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis are granted service connection. The respiratory disorder (asthma) and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety) claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left hip and right hip osteoarthritis were denied as the evidence did not show that he was unable to cross his legs over each other, which would warrant a separate rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease was denied because the symptoms did not meet the criteria for any additional compensable ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that it did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise causally related to service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left little finger deformity with scar, effective July 9, 2015. The disability is rated under Diagnostic Code 5003 due to noncompensable limitation of motion and X-ray evidence of arthritis.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 5010. The temporary total rating for convalescence following his surgeries was denied as he had recovered by October 1, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service and insufficient evidence linking any current condition to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest available. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s migraines meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation due to their very frequent and prolonged attacks.,For cervical spine strain with mild spondylotic changes, the Veteran's condition is currently rated at 10 percent. The VA examination indicated that the Veteran does not have forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees or combined range of motion not greater than 170 degrees, which are required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to inadequate examination results and the need to obtain recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle tendonitis, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has denied increased ratings for left hip replacement due to degenerative arthritis and avascular necrosis, residuals of right hip injury, and PTSD. The case is remanded for a medical opinion on the Veteran's mental health symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as a psychiatric disorder including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety, are being REMANDED due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, right knee, and right hip disabilities. The low back disability is related to in-service injury. The right knee disability is related to military service as it was aggravated by a pre-existing condition during service. The right hip disability is secondary to the right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for left knee disability and TDIU due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the examination of the Veteran's left knee condition. The issues are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain has also been denied, with the Board finding that his current 10% rating is appropriate based on the examination findings and medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s left shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability, diagnosed as scapholunate ligament disruption with osteoarthritis. The decision finds that the current disability is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury and his duties during active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including associated neurological manifestations, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from March 1, 2009, to March 27, 2018, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. The Board has jurisdiction over the propriety of these ratings and effective dates.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability due to additional development being required.