Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's bilateral hand disorders, including osteoarthritis, Dupuytren's contracture, and peripheral neuropathy, are being remanded for additional medical opinions to determine if they are aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection with effective dates of September 21, 2015, for the former and January 13, 2020, for the latter.,A higher rating for the low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right ankle condition was denied in January 2004. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim, but the issue remains remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee instability and meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis on a secondary basis and TDIU due to the inadequacy of the May 2016 VA opinion. The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is being linked to his left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and functional loss.,For his posttraumatic migraine headaches, the Veteran was denied a compensable rating as his attacks were less frequent and severe than required for a 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain with tendonitis, right hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric pain syndrome, and bilateral shoulder strain with bicipital and rotator cuff tendonitis.,Reason: The evidence is at least evenly balanced that the Veteran's joint pains are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his bilateral foot disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5276. The Veteran was currently assigned a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS is dismissed because no Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was filed regarding the assigned ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis has been granted, with a 40% rating effective from December 23, 2010. The TDIU claim is also remanded.,A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from December 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, including testimony about the delay in seeking treatment after military service. Service connection for a skin disability is also remanded due to lack of an examination or opinion regarding exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The examiner is requested to address the continuity of symptoms, lay statements, and provide a rationale for their opinion.

The Veteran's low back condition has been rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period, and his right femur fracture with degenerative arthritis has been rated at 60 percent for the entire appeal period.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at a level that does not reflect its severity.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and right knee osteoarthritis as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's active duty service, his reported symptoms during service, and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, including right knee strain and degenerative arthritis, finding no nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for back disability is denied, and a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's LLE radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, is granted an initial rating of 80 percent. A higher rating for LLE radiculopathy, femoral nerve, is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spines, and migraines. The claim for service connection for migraines is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that his current disability is etiologically related to his service-connected residuals of right knee infrapatellar ligament rupture and repair with degenerative arthritis. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied a compensable initial disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee with limitation of extension, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.