Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee degenerative arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS at L4-S1, paralysis of the left sciatic nerve, and paralysis of the left femoral nerve are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy was denied. The highest rating of 40 percent is assigned for the degenerative arthritis, which does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran. For sleep apnea and RLS, additional medical records are needed to determine their etiology. Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which must be reconsidered with consideration of his service history and ongoing neck pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, a cervical spine disability, and osteoarthritis of all joints were granted in an April 2020 rating decision. The appeals for these issues are dismissed as the benefits have been fully granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability is denied. The RO has granted a 40% rating effective July 19, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service and is more likely due to post-service factors.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded for further development due to the need for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right ankle tendonitis have been granted increased ratings. The left knee is rated at 30% effective December 16, 2018. The right knee is rated at 30% effective June 15, 2020 for lateral instability. The right ankle tendonitis is rated at 30% effective December 16, 2018.

The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative arthritis is granted service connection.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy are both granted secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine spondylosis with degenerative arthritis.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed. The claims for osteoarthritis of the left and right knee, right hip strain, and a skin disability of bilateral feet are remanded.

An initial 40 percent rating for low back disability is granted from January 11, 2014.,Separate 10 percent ratings are granted for RLE and LLE radiculopathy since January 24, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected hip and arthritis conditions are deemed to be severe enough to prevent him from securing or maintaining employment, even when considering his other disabilities. The case is being remanded for further review of the TDIU eligibility.

The Veteran is eligible for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities that preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, canes and/or a wheelchair.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for the aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for mixed anxiety depressive disorder has been dismissed as the full benefit sought was granted.,The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for stress fracture of the right tibia with instability and left femur and left tibia stress related phenomena have been denied. The current 20 percent ratings are deemed appropriate based on the evidence of record.,For the periods from October 1, 2012 to February 25, 2016, and April 1, 2016 to October 15, 2018, the Veteran's right knee disability was rated under DC 5003-5260. The current ratings of 10 percent are deemed appropriate based on limitation of motion.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for internal derangement with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis of the right knee has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is attributable to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his knee disabilities, left ear eustachian tube dysfunction, and perforated ear drum due to inadequate development in prior decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of compliance with previous remands. The Veteran's left knee disability is being reviewed again for service connection, specifically whether it is related to his in-service low back disability or if it began during service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain but remanded the issue of service connection for a right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.