Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected right wrist ganglion cyst and residual scar was denied. The Board found that the current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right knee disability with scars and left knee disability, as well as his claim for TDIU due to his knee disabilities. Additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings have been dismissed as he did not properly identify the specific issues he wanted to appeal.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date were denied. The Board found that there was no medical evidence to support a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to August 9, 2018 for bilateral flat feet and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. For lumbar degenerative arthritis, IVDS and spinal stenosis, the effective date is set at August 9, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are linked to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left knee instability, arthritis and residuals, and right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for increased ratings of low back strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, as well as initial ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to active service, and whether there is any nexus between the osteoarthritis and the Veteran's service. The examiner must also address whether the right knee disability is proximately due to any service-connected disability, including the Veteran’s service-connected left knee disability, and if it underwent any incremental increase in disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The cervical spine claim is remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board denied service connection for back, left ankle, bilateral knee, and right hip disabilities as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis in his knees, ankles, and hips are considered to be due to natural aging and excess weight rather than being proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected feet conditions.

The Veteran's spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent, but a recent VA examination showed an increase in severity. The RO granted a 40 percent rating effective from January 2, 2020, for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. However, the issue of a higher rating before that date remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as he is already receiving a 20 percent rating for recurrent left shoulder dislocations and the Board found that a separate 20 percent rating for limited motion of the left shoulder is warranted.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and right wrist degenerative arthritis have been rated, but the Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted for these conditions. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for mild ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and secondary service connection for diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The conditions are found to be related to active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease leading to current osteoarthritis and noting that the condition did not manifest within one year of separation from service. The Board also found that the Veteran had not provided sufficient medical opinion to establish a link between his current condition and military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the current condition is not causally or etiologically related to any incident of service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to a service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease and traumatic arthritis of the right knee, degenerative joint disease and traumatic arthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his spine disability is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis are reopened, but the left knee disorder is denied. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.