Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is remanded due to insufficient medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right knee osteoarthritis is denied. For the rating period from March 31, 2016, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis is denied. A separate disability rating of 10 percent but no higher for left knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and renal disease are currently rated, but the appeal is remanded for further development on other issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for contact dermatitis, tinnitus, patellofemoral syndrome (left knee), and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability) are partially granted. The claim for increased rating for contact dermatitis is denied. The claim for increased rating for tinnitus prior to August 6, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability) is dismissed. The claims for increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome, left knee, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (low back disability) are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip and left hip, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active duty or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability are granted separate 10 percent ratings from January 28, 2011 to June 4, 2012.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post arthroplasty, is rated at 60 percent effective December 1, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The appeal is denied for the remaining issues, including high cholesterol, melanoma, hypothyroidism, peripheral neuropathy, kidney disability, heart disability, lumbar degenerative arthritis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for left thumb sprain with degenerative arthritis and denied service connection for heart disability (to include cardiac arrhythmia). The decision on the heart disability issue is based on new evidence that was not previously considered.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for RUE radiculopathy and cervical spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of recent evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee degenerative joint disease and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disabilities to service. The Board also found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as all claims have been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the rating of his right shoulder degenerative arthritis prior to May 16, 2018 and after that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee due to missing records and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting addendum opinions regarding functional loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records related to a motor vehicle accident. The Veteran's hand disabilities are now subject to further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically concerning his reported flare-ups and limitation of motion during such periods.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS are not considered service-connected as they are unrelated to his active duty service or any service-connected conditions.