Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and he is also granted increased ratings for his osteoarthritis of the left hand with post-traumatic changes of the left little finger and scar of the left fifth finger.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent, effective from December 24, 2014. Service connection for a spine disability as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's patella tendonitis with tricompartmental osteoarthritis and mild chondromalacia patella of the right knee is granted a separate 10 percent rating for patella tendonitis, but denied any higher ratings. The Veteran also received a noncompensable rating for limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, as well as a medical opinion describing the severity of his left shoulder disorder with scar and retained metallic fragments. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg condition was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that any current right leg condition was related to his active service or his service-connected left knee disabilities.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee post-traumatic osteoarthritis and other residuals of a left knee injury were also denied, with the decision stating that there is no evidence showing compensable limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board cannot adjudicate the merits of this appeal as they have no jurisdiction.

The Board dismissed all pending appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knee disabilities and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The case will be reviewed with a new examination that meets VA requirements, including testing range of motion under both active and passive conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, right hand arthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis is granted. The Board has decided that a new opinion is needed regarding the relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities, including a separate rating for bowel or bladder impairment secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability. The initial ratings for IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is related to his service. The Veteran needs an examination to determine if his back problems are linked to his military service.

The Board denied an increased rating for left knee strain, finding that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability and limited flexion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for bilateral flat feet, but denied for migraine headaches, generalized primary osteoarthritis, knee replacement resulting from bone cancer, hypertension, prostate cancer, and diabetes. The decision also found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed chronic migraine headache disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service connected. The right knee and lumbar spine issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for tinnitus are all remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis, was evaluated as 20 percent disabling. A separate 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis is granted. The Veteran’s surgical scars are rated at 10 percent due to pain.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition and acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The VA determined that the condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS.