Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right hip and leg condition, diagnosed as right hip osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is granted service connection.,An initial rating of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 5, 2009 is granted. The effective date is June 15, 2005.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings for knee disabilities must be remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and need for additional development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right leg disabilities are granted at 20 percent. A 40 percent rating is granted for the back disability from July 1, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current low back disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip and left hip.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request for a higher initial rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for PTSD with parasomnia is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for an addendum VA examination to address service connection on a direct basis and secondary to his service-connected left leg disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral toe disability, including hammer toes and degenerative arthritis, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle and right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and degenerative arthritis of the spine and spinal fusion, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that his current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis is related to an in-service injury and that there is no intercurrent cause. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's symptoms began during service.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for coronary artery disease, increased rating for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, and increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder. Additional development is required to address outstanding VA treatment records, obtain Workman's Compensation records, and provide a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's heart claim.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of the 40 percent rating assigned under Diagnostic Code 5261 for limitation of right knee extension, effective May 1, 2010, is granted. The appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left hip, right hip, left ankle, and right ankle are also granted.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with osteoarthritis is granted a 20 percent evaluation, but no higher. The evaluations for left knee osteochondritis dissecans and right knee chondromalacia are denied.

The Veteran's migraines, cervical spine degenerative changes, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left shoulder strain, right elbow epicondylitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right ankle strain have been granted higher initial disability ratings. The Veteran also received a 20 percent disability rating for left ankle degenerative changes, residual from left fibula fracture.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by repetitive trauma incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine from June 29, 2015 through July 14, 2020 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine from July 15, 2020 onward was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on his hearing loss claim and right knee disability. The Board finds that the effective date of service connection should be July 20, 1968, but no earlier, due to a deficiency in the 1969 decision notice. For his right knee disability, a separate 20 percent rating is granted for meniscectomy residuals from October 26, 2015.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for service-connected left knee osteoarthritis prior to November 16, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current left knee osteoarthritis and meniscal tear status post arthroscopic partial lateral meniscectomy are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder.