Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his service-connected left wrist disability is remanded due to a duty to assist error. He needs an examination to assess the severity of his carpel tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left sciatic radicular pain and paresthesias, and right sciatic radicular pain and paresthesias before a decision was made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and a left hip disorder, finding no probative medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 16, 2016. The Board denied the claim for an effective date of July 30, 2014 for TDIU as she did not meet the threshold requirements for entitlement on a schedular basis.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The claims for a bilateral ankle condition and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to higher initial ratings for a right knee disability and a lumbar spine/back disability. The Veteran needs further examinations to determine the current level of impairment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left knee strain with osteoarthritis was rated at 10 percent, right knee synovitis with chondromalacia of patella at 10 percent, and the bilateral hearing loss at a compensable rating prior to December 2, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and scoliosis, right knee strain, and left knee strain and torn ligament are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as meniscus tear and subluxation, is granted a 20% rating effective July 29, 2016. Separate ratings are assigned for limitation of flexion (10%), limitation of extension (10%) between August 13, 2015 through May 10, 2019, and post-surgical scar pain (non-compensable).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, lumbar spine disability, and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by events during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and an effective date prior to February 25, 2016 for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for a higher rating prior to July 30, 2014, and his bilateral pes planus alone does not qualify him for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition and skin condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions began in service or are otherwise related to his active duty military service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability was denied. Prior to May 22, 2019, the rating remained at 10 percent. From May 22, 2019 onwards, a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee conditions do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability is not service-connected, and remanded for further development to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected right thumb disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.