Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. The cases for increased disability ratings for right elbow, left elbow, left knee, and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion to revise a June 23, 2011 rating decision that denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities. The decision is revised to reflect an award of service connection for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and medial compartment osteoarthritis of the right knee, both effective October 22, 2009.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to be less severe than the current rating of 10 percent prior to August 28, 2016. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula.

The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were found to be present prior to March 29, 2013. The Board granted a separate evaluation for right leg radiculopathy from the beginning of the appeal period. The issues regarding IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis, effective November 13, 2006, due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and a bilateral shoulder condition (rotator cuff impingement, tendonitis, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis) based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, rash on hand, plantar fasciitis or pes planus, and thyroid with weight issues before the Board could review them.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, left foot avulsion fracture dorsal surface of navicular bone with degenerative arthritis, and asthma have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability for hearing loss under VA regulations. For his left foot condition, the Board determined that symptoms were moderate but did not warrant a higher rating. Regarding his asthma, the RO granted an initial 10% rating in September 2012 and increased it to 30% effective February 21, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for Osgood-Schlatter disease of both knees, finding that the Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by his active service. Service connection is denied for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it began during or is otherwise related to active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lower back disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a condition of the hands and fingers, sleep apnea, and hypertension due to additional development being required. The Veteran's representative provided new evidence in September 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to incomplete information in his medical records, including lack of updated opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions. The Veteran is also required to provide employment information from previous employers.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee degenerative arthritis and lateral instability due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations, which did not consider the Veteran's descriptions of flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip conditions are rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for limitation of extension and flexion. The RO has granted a separate evaluation for limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is rated at a maximum of 20 percent.,Throughout the period prior to August 15, 2013, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.,Financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied due to the Veteran's ability to drive and ambulate despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not related to her military service. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection, including those related to herbicide exposure, as the Veteran's representative withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.