Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial rating for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine prior to December 28, 2018 was denied. The Veteran's increased rating claim for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine as of December 28, 2018 and her right shoulder strain claim were remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and readjudication due to inadequate examinations in the previous rating decisions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and a new examination is needed for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability due to a potential worsening since his last VA examination. The right knee patellofemoral syndrome claim also needs further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records, including SSA disability benefits and VA medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip disability is rated at 10 percent under DC 5251. The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary to evaluate the current level of severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and tinnitus due to incomplete record development, including a lack of active duty service treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo new VA examinations for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with osteoarthritis (low back disorder), and coronary artery disease (CAD) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has remanded for further evaluation due to the complexity of his conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent effective September 11, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected left patellofemoral syndrome with lateral meniscus tear, is being remanded. The claim for reopening of the right knee osteoarthritis claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in November 2010, and the effective date of the subsequent grants was set at June 11, 2018.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is granted at a 40 percent evaluation, effective March 2, 2010. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are each granted at a 40 percent evaluation beginning March 25, 2016.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a low back disability, an initial compensable rating for a skin disability of the right hand, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right wrist degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for the claimed conditions.

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

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia are rated at 10%. The Veteran has a separate 10% rating for residuals of her right knee meniscectomy. For the left knee, she is granted a 20% rating for a torn meniscus prior to November 20, 2012, and a 10% rating beginning February 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right hip has been denied as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or other compensable symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for limitation and impairment of the right hip has also been denied due to lack of additional functional loss beyond what is already reflected in the 10 percent rating.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,Service connection is denied for a right ear disorder manifested by pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips, right hip, and left hip due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and need for a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left foot pain with plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to a September 1968 injury during active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of left foot disorders due to right foot avulsion fracture cuneiform.