Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, status-post meniscectomy prior to September 23, 2019, is denied. However, a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee effective from December 30, 2009, is granted.

The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy is now rated at 20 percent, while his left leg radiculopathy remains at 10 percent. The lumbar spine disability continues to be rated at 40 percent after July 17, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis have been denied as the current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disability and his military service, specifically addressing his motor vehicle accident in service and possible spondylosis from 1977.

The Veteran's CAD is rated at 10 percent and the Board finds an updated examination needed to reassess the severity of his condition.,Service connection for arthritis of multiple joints is remanded as the Veteran has a current diagnosis but no VA examination was conducted regarding its etiology. ,Diabetes Mellitus, Type II, is presumed due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, but further evidence is needed to determine if he now meets the diagnostic criteria.,Radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is remanded as a new VA examination is needed to determine the current diagnosis and whether it is related to service-connected conditions or DM II.,Radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is also remanded for similar reasons.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for her service-connected back disability was denied. The current rating of 40 percent is not sufficient to meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if a sleep disorder is secondary to service-connected tinnitus, and to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and bilateral pes planus with residuals of a left big toe fracture have been granted service connection, with the latter condition receiving a 50% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions to address whether his respiratory disorder and right wrist conditions are related to service-connected sarcoidosis or other in-service exposures. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various ankle and foot disabilities have also been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran must be provided with another VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability, including functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear residuals, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left knee joint. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 9, 2009 for service connection for lumbar stenosis was denied.,The Veteran's appeal regarding the correct amount of retroactive benefits following the November 2014 rating decision was also denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis was granted a 20 percent rating from October 3, 2014 to October 9, 2019 and denied any higher rating thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and disc damage of the lumbar spine, but has remanded the issue of service connection for neurogenic bladder due to conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right forearm fracture residuals, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The case is remanded to determine if service connection can be established for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further development. The service connection claims are based on direct evidence of a condition related to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and sinusitis, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity of symptoms since separation from service.,The Veteran's current sinusitis disability is currently diagnosed as allergic rhinitis and acute sinusitis.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is determined to be secondary to her service-connected endometriosis with subsequent vaginal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and perineorrhaphy, also including osteopenia.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis and remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to potential herbicide exposure.