Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial rating for right and left knee strain with degenerative arthritis has been denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including fracture residuals and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 20 percent since August 30, 2011. The rating is denied for higher ratings prior to February 15, 2017, and after that date.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and ACL laxity, was found to not warrant a higher rating prior to November 7, 2018. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The left knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, also denied.,Separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for meniscus tears in both knees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for TDIU prior to October 24, 2018 and from October 24, 2018. The decision found that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities but not during the period of a temporary total evaluation or since he received a combined schedular rating of 100%.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from March 7, 2016 to January 17, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder but denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that it is less likely than not related to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in previous opinions and a need for additional records. The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her migraine headaches is denied.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as her cervical strain are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for psychiatric disabilities and a rating for his lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development, specifically failing to schedule a VA examination for the right knee disability claim. The Veteran's lay statements and service treatment records are considered in forming an opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied. Separate ratings were granted for left knee instability and painful motion during extension, with a separate rating assigned for post-meniscectomy degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current condition and service. The Board also noted conflicting statements from the Veteran regarding when he first experienced pain.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of May 25, 2017 for the grant of service connection for a cervical spine disorder (degenerative arthritis and loss of lordosis) as secondary to service-connected lumbar facet hypertrophy.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his left knee post-operative left medial meniscectomy with arthritis, other than instability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 19, 2017 is also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent, which meets the criteria for a disability rating of 40 percent.,The Veteran's right inguinal hernia repair residuals are not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination and opinions are needed for the Veteran's bilateral elbow disorder, right hip disorder, and bilateral foot disorder.,These issues have been remanded to allow for further evaluation and determination of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the previous decision and the need for a new VA examination.

A 20 percent rating is granted for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis from December 11, 2017 to October 6, 2020.,A 40 percent rating is granted for limitation of extension of the right knee effective October 7, 2020.,A 20 percent rating is granted for residuals of a right ankle strain effective October 7, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the right knee is remanded due to lack of evidence showing flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 10 degrees, even in consideration of functional loss.