Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and the Veteran's failure to appear for a scheduled examination. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various hip and knee conditions, as well as bilateral lymphedema, due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, right knee degenerative arthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and left ankle fracture residuals have been rated, with some issues granted and others denied. The decision is mixed as it includes both granted and denied elements.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for painful motion, and the issues of higher ratings are denied.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the issue of a higher rating is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the opinions provided by VA examiners on whether the Veteran's right knee disability could be caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability or right leg muscle impairment.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than September 20, 2014 for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, carpal tunnel of the right wrist, and carpal tunnel of the left arm have been denied. The case is remanded due to issues with his initial ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right knee conditions were denied. The claim for TDIU was granted, but only since April 18, 2017.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his right knee disability and his low back condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, osteoarthritis of the right hip and left knee, and a hernia disorder due to incomplete medical opinions regarding their etiology. Additionally, the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of fracture of the second toe middle phalanx is also remanded.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations for the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The remand is due to incomplete documentation of requests for treatment records and insufficient opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for residuals of left ankle sprain, right ankle arthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. Additionally, the effective dates for the 10 percent ratings assigned to right and left foot hallux valgus are being addressed.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left hand disorders, left shoulder pain, and left hip degenerative joint disease as the evidence does not support a link to military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for left knee osteoarthritis and instability, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee strain due to inadequate previous examinations, and to obtain updated medical records. The examination will assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric and physical conditions, make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as left and right upper extremity disabilities. Service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his hearing loss and tinnitus did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and dislocated semilunar cartilage, is rated at 20 percent since July 27, 2020. The right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent effective the same day.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability was granted from July 30, 2008 to July 26, 2020.