Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for thoracolumbar strain with scoliosis and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A compensable rating was granted for patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee. The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and residuals of right ankle fracture were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis is remanded due to inadequate examination in a previous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder pain and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to aggravation by assistive devices used for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernia status post laparoscopic repair is currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,For the period from July 14, 2014 up to September 23, 2014, the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent.,For the period from September 24, 2014 to present, the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left foot and great toe disability, as well as TDIU. Additional efforts are required to obtain fee-based podiatrist records from the Richmond VAMC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disorder. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the condition originated during service or is related to any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inconsistencies in previous examinations and evidence not being fully considered.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for osteoarthritis of the ring and little finger of the right hand is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the current VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased ratings were denied as there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability during the year prior to April 26, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to his right knee instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and right leg disability (diagnosed as sciatica/neuropathy) are pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition was rated at 20% effective August 28, 2018. The lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome was rated at 40% effective April 26, 2018.,Effective September 9, 2016, the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity were granted service connection. The right knee osteoarthritis and left knee strain have been rated at 20% since their respective effective dates.,The reduction in ratings for the knees was restored to pre-reduction levels.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD and remanded the issue of service connection for atrophy of thenar eminence with degenerative arthritis, left hand as secondary to residuals, laceration left wrist with ulnar and median nerve palsy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and instability have been denied. The criteria to establish entitlement to the requested evaluations are not met.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left hip osteoarthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection awards of right knee instability and right knee osteoarthritis, meniscal tear, meniscectomy, mild internal derangement, patellar spur, anterior cruciate ligament tear, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and strain. The effective date was fixed at March 17, 2016.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, effective from the date of separation.,An earlier effective date for the hypertension rating is denied. The current 10% rating remains valid since it was requested and no higher blood pressure readings are present.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and individual unemployability was denied. For the PTSD, a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to September 30, 2019 and in excess of 70 percent effective September 30, 2019 is not warranted based on his symptoms. For IU, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.