Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current spinal conditions and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot condition, including plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and the need to obtain updated treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine multilevel disc disease and left hip osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not begin during his military service or be related to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is not enough evidence to support the claim and concluding that it is less likely than not that his current condition was incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to warrant higher ratings, and the claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment status and income. The AOJ is instructed to complete additional development, including obtaining a VA Form 21-8940 from the Veteran, and then refer his TDIU claim for extraschedular consideration if appropriate.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and degenerative joint disease are granted as service connected.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with lumbar spondylosis and degenerative joint disease is also granted as service connected.,Service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis is denied.

Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine. Service connection is denied for bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left knee disabilities prior to November 13, 2015 were denied as the evidence did not show flexion or extension limitations that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his post-operative fracture of the left femur, now with degenerative arthritis of the left knee joint remains in appellate status. The Board has found that the evidence does not more nearly approximate extension limited to 30 degrees and thus denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to new and material evidence presented by the Veteran, reopening her previously denied claim for service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease associated with status post left total knee arthroplasty. The case is now pending before the RO for further review.

The Board has remanded the cases of a bilateral hip disability and lower back disability for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board has ordered a remand for another examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the left knee and right knee degenerative joint disease. The remand also includes an assessment of instability in the right knee.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues related to the potential ameliorative effects of his medications on his lumbar spine sprain with degenerative arthritis and left knee patellar tendonitis with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence. The issues include an initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine, a compensable rating for left trapezius condition, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and uncompleted tasks.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis and remanded the issue of service connection for a nasal disorder, to include rhinitis and sinusitis. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent for the period from August 22, 2017. The left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.