Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected hip disabilities have been restored to their prior ratings, with effective dates of February 1, 2019.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis and painful hip disability are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg shortening and for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right great toe disability. The Veteran's first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis of the left foot was also denied a compensable evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral flat feet, ankle osteoarthritis, knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine disability due to non-compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's IVDS with degenerative arthritis and lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent prior to February 12, 2020 and remanded for further evaluation. From February 12, 2020 forward, the Veteran's condition remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for his back disability, finding that there is no evidence showing a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current back disability is less likely than not caused by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and right knee disability due to new evidence being associated with the claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, finding that it is etiologically related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a low back disability due to inadequate VA examination and duty to assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with L1 and L3 compression deformities, finding that these conditions are due to service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms were considered in determining causation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as his claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities. The remand is due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further action, including the acquisition of private treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the other issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is denied for the Veteran's left shoulder disorder and right shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disorders are related to his service. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's left knee conditions were incurred in or the result of his service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The issue of TDIU prior to September 16, 2012, remains on appeal as the RO did not grant benefits for this period.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as bilateral ankle and left shoulder conditions. The cases are being remanded to provide further examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for nephrolithiasis was denied. The Board granted service connection for the low back disability, finding that it is more likely than not related to an in-service combat training accident.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of a February 2017 VA examination report. The Board will schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination to determine the severity of his right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for right foot and ankle disabilities, including as secondary to the service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella and instability, finding that there was no causal or etiologically related link between these conditions and the service-connected disability.