Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's diagnosed intervertebral disc degeneration, spondylosis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his military service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeals regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and back disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathies of the LLE and RLE are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension and flexion is rated at 20 percent, effective from April 30, 2021. The left knee disability with limitation of extension and flexion is also rated at 20 percent, effective from April 30, 2021.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as well as bilateral foot plantar fasciitis, are not service-connected.,The remaining issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, vertigo, and left upper extremity dysesthesia remain pending.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained on remand are inadequate and another remand is required to address the nature and likely etiology of any diagnosed foot disabilities, other than plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the cases of right knee degenerative arthritis and left ankle disability due to conflicting evidence regarding their presence.

The Veteran's claims for right elbow medial epicondylitis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), right knee joint osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, intestinal neoplasm (claimed as colon cancer), liver abscess (claimed as liver disease), and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis, left knee, status-post medial meniscectomy has been rated based on limitation of motion and instability. The appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disabilities, including their etiology and severity.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of entitlement to evaluations for various knee disabilities. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess his current level of severity and range of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain and spondylolisthesis with degenerative arthritis of the spine requires further development due to inadequate examination, lack of consideration of lay evidence, and need for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous examination requirements and for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's residuals of tibia fracture with mild patellofemoral compartment osteoarthritis in the left lower extremity are currently rated at 10 percent and require further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 5, 2020 and at 30 percent beginning February 5, 2020. The rating for IVDS with ulnar nerve involvement of the upper extremities remains at 10 percent.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated based on symptoms such as pain and stiffness without ankylosis or other severe functional impairment.

For the period prior to July 14, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability warranted a rating of 20 percent.,As of July 14, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability warranted a rating of 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding whether new evidence is sufficient to reopen the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran's current right shoulder disabilities are believed to be related to his military service.