Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS prior to December 16, 2019, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, as well as the claim for TDIU due to incomplete VA examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine and right ankle/heel disabilities.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the upper extremities is denied due to lack of evidence.,Insomnia, claimed as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability, is dismissed as it is considered a symptom of the Veteran's depressive disorder.,The Veteran’s claim for increased rating and separate compensable ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.,Service connection for migraine headache disorder is remanded due to need for clarification regarding its pre-service existence.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the ankles, knees, and hips. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported pain during service which later developed into diagnosed arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder (other than low back strain), to include as secondary to service-connected low back strain, and for higher ratings for his service-connected low back strain. The AOJ is instructed to provide additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s scoliosis and DDD of the lumbar spine with facet arthrosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate range of motion testing in previous examinations, and a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right knee arthritis claim was remanded, while the right knee instability and TDIU claims are still pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and a left foot disorder due to potential issues with development and opinion requests. The special monthly compensation claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's right knee replacement was granted a 60 percent rating effective October 1, 2018.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability from December 1, 2019 has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Separate issues regarding TDIU are also being remanded, with one related to a single service-connected disability other than chondromalacia of left knee from February 13, 2014 through March 31, 2015 for SMC purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip and right hip, both resulting from a service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The issue of service connection for headaches and episodes of blacking out is remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's now service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's left wrist and lumbar spine disabilities are rated at the lowest possible levels due to their current symptoms not meeting higher rating criteria. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or neurological involvement.

The Veteran's claim for a 60 percent rating for bladder dysfunction is denied as the earliest date entitlement became factually ascertainable was December 22, 2009. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 22, 2009 is also denied due to his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or earlier effective dates for RLE and LLE radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, as well as T-11 and T-12 compression fracture residuals with lumbar IVDS and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain was denied. However, he received a separate 10% disability rating for left ankle instability associated with his service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased ratings for back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran will need to undergo further evaluations.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, but no higher, due to marked limited motion throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's bilateral knee instability is not rated higher than 10 percent at any time during the appeal period.,The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis prior to March 1, 2012 and prior to March 4, 2013 are not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, nut allergy, and denied service connection for allergic rhinitis with induced asthma.