Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for ankylosis of the left fifth finger was granted. The Board also remanded his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence in the November 2018 VA audio examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her cervical spine condition due to inadequate examination findings regarding flare-ups and functional limitations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for knee disabilities due to conflicting or incomplete information from a recent examination. Additional examinations are needed to provide clearer and more consistent information on the Veteran’s disability picture.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine as there is no evidence that it was incurred during or due to active duty, and the symptoms were not chronic in service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to scheduling errors in VA examinations.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of various joints as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10% rating for his residual surgical scar from February 13, 2009 to December 14, 2014. The Veteran’s left shoulder disability has been rated as noncompensable prior to October 3, 2013, and at 20% thereafter.,The Board found that the Veteran's residual surgical scar does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7804.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand orders and has therefore ordered a new VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increase claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome with patella femoral tendonitis due to the need for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's left hip disability, including degenerative arthritis and decreased extension, is not rated higher than 50% since October 1, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria provided in the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) based on being housebound or needing regular aid and attendance, finding that the evidence did not show a need for such benefits.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for partial right shoulder rotator cuff tear with mild osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's range of motion is restricted to below shoulder level due to pain and flare-ups.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports readjudicating the claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and left foot hammer toes and first MTP osteoarthritis. The Veteran's recent grant of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis in an August 2019 rating decision may support his secondary service connection claims.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to service-connected left ankle sprain with residual pain, should be remanded due to inadequate examination and duty to assist.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a lack of VA examinations and records. The Veteran's disabilities are related to service, but more evidence is needed.