Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for the thoracolumbar spine from February 4, 2004 to October 29, 2004, and at 40 percent for the cervical spine beginning August 9, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and status post ACL repair, right knee patellofemoral chondromalacia with medial meniscal tear, left ankle arthritic changes, and sinusitis. The issue of service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

Your claim for service connection for a left-hand disability has been granted, and you are now receiving the appropriate disability ratings. The appeal is dismissed as your request for all benefits sought on this issue has been satisfied.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition is granted, and the rating for his status post shrapnel in neck injury is restored to 30 percent effective May 16, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show flexion to 30 degrees or less, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating (TTR) based on convalescence following surgery in December 2016 was also denied due to lack of documentation showing required convalescence period.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied, as the evidence did not show that his range of motion had been limited to 25 degrees from the side at any point during the appeal period.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that his symptoms did not warrant such an increase.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the right knee meniscectomy and granted effective dates of November 25, 2003 for service connection of upper extremity radiculopathies. The cervical strain claim is remanded.

The appeal for an earlier effective date prior to March 26, 2009 for the grant of service connection for cervical spondylosis with minor canal stenosis and minor cord compression with degenerative arthritis is dismissed.,Your disability rating for cervical spondylosis with minor canal stenosis and minor cord compression with degenerative arthritis remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities. Service connection claims for lumbar spine disability and gastrointestinal disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was granted at a 60 percent evaluation from May 20, 2019, to November 5, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and cervical radiculopathy, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease is denied as the current disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is granted service connection. The rating for his back condition, radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve and sciatic nerve are denied. The left knee lateral instability is granted a 10% rating effective May 20, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome right hand, left hand, primary vitiligo, and degenerative arthritis left knee limitation of flexion and extension due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his claimed disabilities will be considered in the new VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations and provide requested medical records. The issues of service connection for a back disorder, including lower extremity symptoms, and increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee are being addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral ankle arthritis, bilateral hip arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right hand/fingers degenerative arthritis as secondary to service-connected inflammatory arthritis due to insufficient examination opinions. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records from Methodist Hospital in Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to issues with proper notice and development, including verifying his current address and obtaining necessary medical opinions.