Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal regarding his thoracolumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for an SSOC based on additional evidence received since the September 2019 SOC.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee was denied prior to March 11, 2019. A 20 percent disability rating is granted from that date forward. The Board also remanded several other service connection claims due to insufficient development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and bilateral plantar fasciitis with calcaneal spur of the right foot have been denied.

The Veteran's low back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy, is determined to be caused by his service-connected left knee disability. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted with increased initial ratings. Service connection for PTSD is also granted.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus. The Veteran's service records show that he was exposed to noise during service and has reported hearing loss since then.,The claim for service connection for IHD based on herbicide exposure is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of May 11, 1970 for service connection for left knee disability is granted. The Board also remanded the issues regarding higher ratings for right knee post traumatic osteoarthritis and instability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right hip osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar scoliosis, strain, and degenerative disc disease prior to September 9, 2016 was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS from September 9, 2016 was also denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's low back disabilities, diagnosed as a lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc disease, are granted based on aggravation of a pre-existing disability.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, is granted due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the severity of the Veteran's left spontaneous pneumothorax, as well as whether his COPD and right spontaneous pneumothorax are aggravated by his service-connected left spontaneous pneumothorax.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including rating claims for low back disability and left common peroneal lumbar neuropathy. The TDIU claim is also part of this appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis based on a finding of continuous post-service symptoms, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 21, 2015 to February 5, 2019. The case is remanded for further examination and rating of the left knee and spine disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 8, 2017 and is now rated at 40 percent after that date.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been denied as he can still maintain gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed left ankle disorder, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and right arm glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis and/or lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right and left foot degenerative arthritis, 1st tarso-metatarsal joint prior to February 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right shoulder conditions have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.