Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities since July 1, 2008. The decision is effective from that date.

The Veteran is granted a 60 percent rating for neurogenic bladder and a separate 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as chronic low back pain).

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and left ankle, finding that these conditions do not warrant ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development related to his right knee disability, specifically after the expiration of a temporary total evaluation period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his right shoulder dislocation, right knee medial meniscus tear with osteoarthritis, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran opting for Higher-Level Review under the AMA.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection for hearing loss, prostate disorder, bladder disorder, and TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for osteopenia of the right shoulder, left wrist disability (including osteopenia and strain), osteoarthritis of the right knee, and a back disability. The evidence supports these determinations as there are medical opinions linking each condition to an in-service injury or incident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries.,Both knees were treated for injuries, but no evidence supports a nexus between current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further evaluation of his lumbar spine and hip disabilities due to deficiencies in the examination reports. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral foot conditions (osteoarthritis and pes planus) to his in-service left ingrown toenail surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability due to incomplete development of evidence. The current appeal is limited to issues related to the rating criteria and not service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hip disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,Service connection was denied for a right knee disorder and a baker’s cyst located behind the right knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disability of both feet is rated at 30 percent since April 19, 2012. The appeal for increased evaluation and SMC was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B, right hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of diagnosis or manifestation within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for her left knee disability is denied. She currently receives a 60% evaluation for status post total left knee replacement, effective February 1, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The TDIU claim from December 17, 2010 has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for compartment syndrome with degenerative arthritis, left knee. The appeals are now pending before VA for further examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities was denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability received a higher initial rating of 20 percent prior to April 19, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter. His initial compensable ratings for his left knee and right shoulder were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. Bilateral knee osteoarthritis is considered to have manifested within one year of the Veteran's separation from active duty in February 2004, while obstructive sleep apnea was not incurred or related to his military service.