Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his current left knee disability is related to his service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorders, including hammer toes, pes cavus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative arthritis, were not incurred in service and are not otherwise related to it. Therefore, service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination and failure to provide a flare-up opinion. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the left knee claims.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as several secondary service connection claims for various joint conditions. The Board has determined that additional development is needed in all these matters.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hand, left hand, and ulnar tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,The decision also notes that the Veteran’s mobility changes due to his service-connected liposarcoma removal, coronary artery disease, and diabetes mellitus caused these conditions.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 40 percent effective November 1, 2018. The appeal seeks a rating in excess of this level and an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating, and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports and conflicting findings. The Veteran's right foot disabilities are being examined again, as is his undiagnosed illness and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is granted. The right knee disability claims are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and gambling disorder, are sufficient to render him unemployable without regard to his age or any nonservice-connected disorders. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right shoulder arthritis have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations, specifically regarding range of motion measurements and flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service military service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right total knee arthoplasty, and left total knee arthroplasty were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine or any other condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are linked to his active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for nonservice-connected death pension benefits and has remanded the issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's low back strain with lumbar osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, but the Board has decided to remand for further evaluation and consideration of a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left wrist disability was denied. Increased ratings were also denied for his knee disabilities, except for the left and right knee DJD with limitation of flexion which were granted effective February 7, 2020. A TDIU rating was granted effective September 29, 2014.

The Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent since July 29, 2019. Prior to that date, the condition was rated noncompensable.,Since July 29, 2019, the Veteran’s lumbar spine condition has been rated at 20 percent.