Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left hand and wrist disability, including whether it is related to her service or aggravated by her service-connected right wrist disability.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand this case for further examination to determine if there is any additional functional loss due to flare-ups or repeated use over time.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his service. The claim will be reconsidered after a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of both feet with gout prior to April 21, 2017 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for degenerative arthritis of both feet with gout from April 21, 2017 was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurring ulcers and gastritis, right shoulder sore joint with degenerative arthritis, severe congestion and sinus conditions, and right knee pain with degenerative arthritis. The issues of service connection for severe congestion and sinus conditions and right knee pain with degenerative arthritis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right foot plantar fasciitis, right knee limitation of flexion and extension, right knee lateral instability, and left knee lateral instability have been granted ratings. The Veteran also received a TDIU.

The Veteran's eczema is now rated at 30% from December 2, 2019.,For the period from March 31, 2011 to December 1, 2019, her eczema was not rated higher than 0%

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing assistance or a TDIU due to their combined rating of 50 percent, which is less than the required 70 percent. The Board has remanded the issues for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD/DJD and left knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and chondromalacia, s/p meniscectomy are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. New evaluations are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis, originally claimed as rheumatoid arthritis. The claim for left lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy with foot drop is dismissed.

The Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for lumbar spine disability is granted, and the combined rating prior to July 22, 2019, and thereafter, is 70 percent and 90 percent respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to February 24, 2014, or due solely to a single service-connected disability from February 24, 2014, to January 9, 2017, and after March 1, 2018.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including subluxation or lateral instability and limitation of extension, is rated at 40 percent effective August 29, 2007 to October 4, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for left and right total knee replacements, as well as PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for healed fracture and osteoarthritis of the right little finger is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding entitlement to increased ratings for left ankle disability, and service connection for diverticulitis.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during military service.,Service connection was also granted for diverticulosis with recurrent diverticulitis. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected left tibia fracture prior to June 27, 2019; and from that date onward was denied. The Board found no evidence of marked knee or ankle disability warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back condition is granted. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence on the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.