Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10% prior to September 8, 2013 and at 30% from that date. The knee disabilities are each rated at 10%. These ratings have been denied.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran’s cervical spine disability was rated at 30%, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5242. Ratings in excess of this were not granted as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right hip is currently rated at 10 percent, which adequately compensates for his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, including as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus with neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The case is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates of May 21, 2018. The RO also assigned a disability rating of 40 percent for mechanical low back pain with lumbosacral strain, degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for a special home adaptation grant is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such a grant due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened and granted. The claims for increased ratings for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, right hip strain, and lumbar spine disability were denied. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing neck disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, did not increase in severity during service and was not aggravated by service. Therefore, service connection for a neck disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for IVDS with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The issues of service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and a stomach hernia were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and will be reconsidered. The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disabilities from August 10, 2010 to January 22, 2013 were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee laxity or osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion. A separate 20 percent rating was granted for limited extension.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and left leg neuropathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right knee disability prior to September 12, 2011 and from November 1, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis prior to September 12, 2011 or a rating in excess of 30 percent after November 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity and residual lumbar scar associated with intervertebral disc syndrome were denied as there was no communication prior to July 31, 2012 that could be reasonably construed as a claim of entitlement to benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for her left upper arm disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbosacral spine disability, and left knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and her military service. The appeals are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip replacement as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities, including traumatic arthritis and meniscus tear.

The Board denied service connection for right foot and right ankle disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to in-service injuries or events.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for a right knee disability, concluding that the Veteran's current condition was not caused by his in-service pain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disorder, which was previously denied due to lack of evidence showing an increase in disability during service and no link between the condition and his right ankle fracture, has been reopened. The Board found that there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the left knee condition did not worsen during service and concluded that it is not secondary to his service-connected right ankle fracture.

The Veteran's right knee disability was present during service and has continued since then. The Board granted the claim for service connection.