Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left leg radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions regarding flare-ups and functional loss prior to March 2015, and clarifying the effective date and ratings assigned for radiculopathy of the left leg.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee condition as secondary to his service-connected right knee condition, finding that the Veteran's left knee absorbed most of the weight and strain due to his significant right knee issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc disease was denied. Effective dates prior to November 9, 2016 were also denied for the grant of service connection for various lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current left shoulder disorders and his military service. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to determine if there is a link between his service and his diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left elbow dislocation and lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that there was no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is denied as the evidence does not show that his disability meets or approximates the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and clarification due to new evidence suggesting a potential link between the Veteran's conditions and his herbicide exposure. The issues are inextricably intertwined, particularly regarding the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis (claimed as neck condition) is granted due to the evidence being at least in equipoise that his condition manifested during service and has continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation or development.,Specifically, his degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the lumbar spine are currently rated at 40 percent, but he seeks a higher rating. His left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for pes cavus, hammertoes, low back disorder (DDD of the lumbar spine), and bilateral knee disabilities due to the need for clarification regarding whether these conditions are related to service or if they were aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for right 5th finger fracture with degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right 5th finger ulnar digit neuritis is also denied.

The Veteran's chronic degenerative arthritis of the right knee joint with limitation of extension is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's chronic degenerative arthritis of the right knee joint with instability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's residuals meniscal tear of the right knee is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with bilateral lower extremity radulopathy and a 10 percent rating for hearing loss effective October 4, 2019. The other claims on appeal were either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee or right leg disability, diabetes mellitus as due to herbicide exposure, diabetic neuropathy of the right upper and lower extremities, stroke, and erectile dysfunction are all remanded.,Specifically, the Board finds that there is a need to verify the Veteran’s reported service on a base in the Republic of Vietnam during his period of temporary duty (TDY) from March 24, 1967, to May 13, 1967.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, right and left knee osteoarthritis, and left shoulder bursitis, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 20, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's back condition, which may have been caused or aggravated by service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is still capable of sedentary work.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is granted as service-connected, and his right ankle disability remains at a 20% rating. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine prior to July 18, 2015 is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives.