Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA medical examination to determine the current severity level of his service-connected left knee, as the January 2020 VA examination did not specify whether measurements for range of motion testing were passive or non-weight-bearing.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including a VA examination to address the current severity of the status post cholecystectomy and the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed left knee degenerative arthritis and service. The right knee disability and left shoulder disability claims are also being remanded for additional opinions regarding their ratings.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and granted a non-compensable rating for eczema/atopic dermatitis. The Veteran's claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, and osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders is remanded.,The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and her service. The claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, and osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis has been rated at 10 percent since October 2011, and a separate 10 percent rating for limited motion and pain was granted. The left knee osteoarthritis has also been rated at 10 percent since October 2011.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is now rated at 10 percent with the addition of a separate 10 percent rating for limited motion and pain, while his left knee osteoarthritis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip and lower extremity disabilities due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 20 percent for his left thumb disability is denied. The case is also remanded to determine if a separate rating is warranted for neurological residuals of the fractured first left metacarpal.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and no higher rating is warranted.,For the period from February 10, 2016 through October 10, 2017, the Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. Since then, his disability has not warranted an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his entitlement to a higher rating for total right knee replacement with degenerative arthritis and right knee instability, as well as TDIU. The AOJ should request detailed employment information from the Veteran and provide him an opportunity to submit supporting documentation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for back disability due to further development needs.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right hip and left knee disabilities caused by Euflexxa shots, finding no evidence of carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than specific phobia was denied. The reduction from a 100 percent to a 20 percent rating for his left shoulder disability, status post arthroscopic surgery, effective February 1, 2016, was upheld. His claims for higher ratings for the left shoulder and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis were denied. His claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied. The Veteran's specific phobia, bilateral hearing loss, cholecystectomy residuals, cholecystectomy scars, and right knee scars all received initial compensable ratings. Finally, his TDIU claim was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability, left ankle disability, and right foot disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome are less likely than not incurred in or caused by complaints of knee pain that occurred during service to include parachute jumps.,There is no evidence of a current left ankle disability, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current right foot disability was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for thoracolumbar spine strain and post-surgical right ankle strain with degenerative arthritis were denied as there is no evidence of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's left knee, status post arthroscopy, is rated at 20 percent and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran’s right knee disability (degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia) is rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is found to have started during his military service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder rotator cuff reconstruction, recurrent enteritis, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical stenosis, status post-anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and degenerative arthritis was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show severe incomplete paralysis or complete paralysis.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability, has been remanded. The Veteran also had his lumbar spine disability rated and the rating in excess of 20 percent remains unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of bilateral bunionectomy, including degenerative arthritis, are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has remanded the issue for further development.