Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded due to deficiencies in the prior VA examination. A new examination is required to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, including right knee pain, degenerative osteoarthritis, and left knee degenerative changes. The matter is referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion and a new VA examination regarding his left hip disability. The effective date of an earlier rating remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence that the current condition was caused by an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, with metatarsalgia and arthritis, are rated at the maximum allowed (50%). Separate ratings for right and left ankle disabilities are granted. The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for low back condition, left knee condition, right foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, and left hip trochanteric pain syndrome. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of the rating criteria.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle and right wrist disabilities, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability. The effective date for the compensable rating for the left knee disability was set at October 2, 2017.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's current left ankle or right wrist conditions are related to his period of service.

The Board denied a combined rating in excess of 90% since September 26, 2018. The Veteran's disabilities were evaluated and combined according to the Combined Ratings Table, resulting in an overall disability rating of 90%. The claim for a higher combined rating was denied.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to October 18, 2018. From October 18, 2018, the Board denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities have been rated based on their severity and the criteria for increased ratings were not met.,A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for limitation of extension of the right knee from January 30, 2012, to May 28, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, sleep disturbance, and memory loss. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection was not granted as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating greater than 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS from July 31, 2019 is dismissed. The Board grants a disability rating of 20 percent for the condition from November 16, 2011 to July 30, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in April 2012 and for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. Further examination is required to assess current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left hip osteoarthritis were granted a 10% evaluation each for the period from November 13, 2015 to September 19, 2016. For the period after that, he was granted a 30% evaluation for his bilateral hip replacements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip femoral arthroplasty, to include as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current left hip condition was incurred in or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for a higher rating of 30 percent for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.