Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating of 60 percent for left knee status post total knee replacement is granted effective January 5, 2016.,The appeals on service connection for cervical spine condition and increased rating for nerve damage, lateral surface of the distal left lower leg, saphenous nerve are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of left knee injury with relaxed lateral collateral ligaments and chondromalacia of the left knee with limited motion were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the original decision was clearly erroneous due to insufficient evidence showing permanent aggravation during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis, cervical and thoracolumbar spine arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleep apnea. The issues are being returned to the AOJ for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a failure to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left trochanteric bursitis and left knee osteoarthritis, impairment of femur have been rated based on their respective limitations. A separate 30 percent rating has been granted for the left trochanteric bursitis due to limitation of flexion, effective from February 7, 2018. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, impairment of femur has received a 20 percent rating based on limitation of flexion and a separate 40 percent rating for limitation of extension, both effective from February 7, 2018.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of evidence. Specifically, an updated VA examination is needed to assess the severity of his left knee disability, including during flare-ups. The issues of TDIU and DEA benefits earlier effective dates are also being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective January 27, 2020. The case is being remanded for another VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis, shoulder, hip, knee, and hand disabilities as well as a sleep disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has denied a higher rating for cervical spine osteoarthritis and has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee condition and lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, neck, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in his service treatment records. The VA examiner is instructed to consider the Veteran's statements regarding the onset and progression of his disorders and provide opinions on whether it is at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand and wrist conditions due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The AOJ is required to obtain a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s claimed bilateral hand condition, including his in-service complaints.

The Veteran's right ankle and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of increased severity since the last evaluations. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the issues regarding the right ankle and left knee.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received after the last statement of the case and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's low back disability, and determining whether there are any neurological impairments or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has denied the reopening of the claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for right knee degenerative joint disease was denied. The Board has remanded the issue to allow further development.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine condition remains pending and is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was denied. His appeal for an increased rating from March 13, 2019, to 20 percent is also denied. The Veteran's depression has been granted service connection, but no initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent is warranted. A TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities was granted effective December 29, 2017.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 10 percent for posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right little finger, which was manifested by degenerative arthritis supported by x-ray evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, which are secondary to his service-connected right knee condition.