Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examination.,The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Board has denied a request for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim to reopen was received on June 30, 2008 and he is seeking an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is granted, and a compensable rating for the surgical scar is also granted. The issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of loss of a right fallopian tube and remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and genitourinary disability.

The Veteran's service-connected memory problems are now considered. The Board has ordered a VA aid and attendance examination to assess if all his disabilities require regular assistance.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's right knee strain with meniscus tear and osteoarthritis claim is still pending, as is his respiratory disability claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left knee disorder (to include osteoarthritis), and right knee lateral instability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for any condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for crush injury of the left great and second toes was denied, as his disability is currently rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee condition, service connection for a left knee condition, and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability, service connection for a cervical spine disorder, and TDIU due to incomplete examinations and conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and he has been granted service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and MDD). The claim for a substance abuse disorder was remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of a higher rating for his bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA clinical records, authorization of private chiropractor services, and a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's urticaria, lumbar strain, and right leg disorder.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied.,Issues related to right hip disorder and left knee disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence on etiology.,Entitlement to a compensable rating for sensorineural hearing loss of the right ear, and entitlement to a higher rating for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for an examination to determine the nature and severity of his left thumb disability, including whether it is analogous to ankylosis.

The Veteran's instability of the right knee and degenerative arthritis with limited motion have been rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's representative withdrew their appeal for a higher rating of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, acquired psychiatric disability (major depression disorder), and fibromyalgia have been granted. The claim for service connection for arthritis has been denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee condition and thoracolumbar spine disability (claimed as back condition).

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is granted, with a 40 percent rating from July 23, 2019 and a 20 percent rating from December 1, 2009 to July 22, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and left shoulder strain have been rated at 10 percent prior to August 14, 2019, and 20 percent from that date. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder tendonitis with degenerative arthritis has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 14, 2019, or 20 percent from that date.