Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and left elbow was denied an increased rating. A 10 percent rating for left hip trochanteric bursitis from April 1, 2011 to May 5, 2014 has been granted.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and depression), and a lumbar spine disability. The remand includes obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied for a rating greater than 10 percent prior to October 20, 2010 and granted a 20 percent rating from February 1, 2011 to June 29, 2011. The appeal is remanded due to issues with service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee conditions. The issues are whether the Veteran should receive higher disability ratings for his left knee osteoarthritis and instability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in both cases, so the claims are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically focusing on the right knee disability prior to June 17, 2010, and the TDIU claim from August 13, 2015. The case is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's initial rating for right shoulder strain is denied as his functional loss does not result in limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.,An initial disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for left shoulder strain prior to February 25, 2020 is granted. The Veteran's condition has been stable and he did not experience significant functional loss during flare-ups or with repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine secondary to strain (also claimed as degenerative arthritis of the spine) is being readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that an addendum medical opinion is necessary to address the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his left knee/lower extremity and back disabilities, are found to render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU claim with resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip disabilities are remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a clinician to address functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disabilities were denied increased ratings, while the low back condition was remanded for further evaluation.,A compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was also remanded.

The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating for right hip strain with femoral acetabular impingement syndrome and degenerative arthritis, effective May 26, 2018.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with specific details provided regarding the nature of each disability. A separate rating has also been granted for osteoarthritis of the right knee with limitation of motion from July 27, 2020. The issue of a temporary total disability rating following a total left knee replacement is moot as it was essentially addressed in the grant of increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support the claim.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left hip condition, right hip condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than unspecified depressive disorder), and sleep apnea due to new evidence or clarification.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, polymyalgia rheumatica, osteopenia, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's STRs were silent for any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and meniscus tear, left knee instability, and lumbar spine osteoarthritis before June 25, 2020 are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms or functional impairment.