Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right wrist disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran’s low back disability is denied for a rating higher than 10 percent.,Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for left and right leg radiculopathy since October 20, 2013.,The Veteran's bilateral PFPS conditions do not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and restoration of disability ratings are remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The appeal for a total disability rating is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine as there is no probative evidence linking his current disability to his active military service.

The Veteran's hypertension, back disability, and right knee meniscal tear are rated at the minimum levels allowed by law. The Veteran is granted a separate rating for his right knee condition but denied an increased rating for his back disability. His PTSD is initially granted a total rating effective from May 23, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations due to incomplete evaluations and the need for clarification of functional limitations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a low back condition, arthritis of legs, degenerative arthritis of knees, glaucoma of the right eye, rash on scrotum, penis, buttocks, shoulders, and arms, and residuals of head injury. The evidence received since previous decisions did not meet the criteria to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 22, 2017. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he can secure or follow such an occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hand, finding that it began during active duty and continued thereafter. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 50% disability rating, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the date of onset of functional impairment and neurological symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's back disability. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted more than one year after the last final denial.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and as a result, the Board dismissed the case.

The Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis is not service-connected, and his lumbar spine DDD results in a 40% rating. Separate ratings are granted for left knee instability (30%) and limitation of extension (10%). The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral knee disability are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition and back condition, both of which are found to be not related to his service-connected right knee condition.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current left knee or back conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's headaches are not secondary to service-connected hypertension and are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's lumbar spine multilevel degenerative disc and joint disease with bilateral sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis does not meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.