Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, resulting in the denial of his TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left hip disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back and/or lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right knee replacement, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic right knee disability in service or continuous symptoms since service separation. The Board also found that the current right knee disability is not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee was denied. The claim for TDIU prior to May 28, 2013, was also denied as there were no service-connected disabilities that rendered him unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the right knee, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for right leg disability, other than right knee osteoarthritis. As a result, the Board dismissed this case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and right elbow disorders due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities due to ongoing issues with pain, stiffness, and functional limitations.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU effective April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied.,The Veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 24, 2011 for the assignment of a 20 percent evaluation for his service-connected back condition was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS, is now rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The rating reflects the current severity of his symptoms, which include pain, limited motion, and functional impairment.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 19, 2019. From that date, the rating was increased to 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination of the Veteran's knees. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective from April 7, 2017. The right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 20 percent effective from January 23, 2012 to August 3, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability. The left knee and acquired psychiatric disorder issues are remanded, as is the migraine headache issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and procedural issues, requiring a new VA examination to determine if any left foot disorders are related to service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent from May 7, 2009 to March 16, 2016. The rating was denied before that date and after that date.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial and subsequent ratings for his left knee disability, left shoulder disability, PTSD, and residual scar related to the chin are being remanded due to procedural issues and need for additional medical examinations.