Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 14, 2017 and after that date, a separate rating of 20 percent for limitation of extension is granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability, and arthritis of joints other than the right and left hip due to insufficient rationale in the July 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and ankle disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left and right shoulder disorders, as well as higher ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal was dismissed.

The Board has granted separate 10 percent ratings for left and right knee instability from April 17, 2015. However, the issues of increased ratings for each knee prior to February 7, 2021 are remanded due to new regulations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee strain have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the Board has determined that these ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service connection claim for arthritis of the knees and legs has been denied as there is no evidence that his current condition began during or was caused by service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for tendonitis of the knees has been denied as there is no evidence that his current condition began during or was caused by service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service or service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there is a continuity of symptomology within one year of his separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand instructions and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left knee was granted a 30 percent rating for patellofemoral syndrome with ligament laxity and small effusion from September 17, 2015.,The Veteran's right knee was granted a 30 percent rating for patellofemoral syndrome with ligament laxity and small effusion from September 17, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and depression disorder have been sufficiently incapacitating as to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee, left knee, right hip, and left hip degenerative arthritis, as well as his hammertoes of the feet and a foot disability are all granted.,Service connection is also granted for right bundle branch block. However, gout is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has denied a higher rating for sinusitis and granted service connection for neck strain. The cases of gastritis, insomnia, and low back disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle and left knee disabilities were denied. The claim for a separate rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome with anterior tibial tendonitis, chondromalacia patella, Baker's cyst, and osteoarthritis, right knee was granted.

The Veteran is granted TDIU for his service-connected disabilities prior to May 26, 2020 and TDIU solely due to PTSD beginning May 26, 2020. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted starting from May 26, 2020.