Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis as of February 8, 2007 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities making it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed skin disorder, manifested by skin flushing, was granted. The issues of increased ratings for generalized anxiety disorder and tension-type headaches, as well as the cervical strain with degenerative disc disease prior to January 28, 2020, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee with osteoarthritis remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that there is at least a 50% probability that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis and TDIU due to inadequate evaluations in previous examinations. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of spine with spondylolisthesis and left leg disability manifested by motor weakness, foot drop, and radiculopathy on a causation basis. The case is remanded for further action regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's spinal cord stimulation procedure is related to his service-connected knee disabilities or nonservice-connected CRPS.

The Veteran is denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right hip degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran is denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from May 11, 2015 to October 9, 2017 for limitations of flexion on both hips.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current right ankle disability, insufficient left ankle functional impairment to warrant a higher rating, and insufficient evidence of arthritis in the knees to grant an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral shoulder disorders, and back disorder due to in-service injuries. The Veteran's reports of symptoms since service are considered, but an addendum opinion is needed to address whether his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the inadequacy of the May 2018 VA examination report, which did not fully address the duration of any incapacitating episodes caused by intervertebral disc syndrome (IDVS) and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his spine disability is now remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder degenerative joint disease with strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee conditions prior to specific dates have been denied. The Veteran was granted initial 10 percent ratings for his knees in August 2012, followed by a temporary total rating from May 11, 2017 to July 1, 2018. As of July 1, 2018, he received 60 percent ratings for his total knee replacements.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for several claims, including service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's right ilioinguinal neuralgia, osteoarthritis, GERD, acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and sleep apnea. The effective dates of any potential awards are also in question.

The Board has ordered additional VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected conditions and to determine if his current ear disorder is related to service or allergic rhinitis. The case is being remanded due to the Veteran not providing an updated address.

The Board has granted separate ratings for limitation of flexion and extension due to osteoarthritis and PFPS right knee, but denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the overall condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were granted a 20 percent rating effective from January 21, 2020. The disability ratings are subject to the criteria for diseases and injuries of the spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition is granted. The Board also remanded the cases for increased ratings for limitation of extension of both hips.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, neck disability, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and dermatitis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective the date after his last day of work.