Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since June 28, 2019. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating and grants this claim.

The Veteran's TDIU application is granted, and the Board has remanded for further examination regarding his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including evaluations for various disabilities and service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee, right knee instability, and right knee osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine condition, left shoulder condition, back condition, and bilateral hip condition. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his active military service.,There was no medical opinion linking any of the claimed conditions to the Veteran’s time in service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome, is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260. The evidence does not support a higher rating as the range of motion remains within limits that do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder and right hand disabilities have been granted service connection, with a rating of 20% for the back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, including her bilateral knee and lumbar spine conditions, have prevented her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since April 10, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee osteoarthritis due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not related to his service, either directly or secondary to a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease. Secondary service connection was also denied as there is no medical opinion linking the current knee conditions to the service-connected ankle disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis are denied. Separate 10 percent ratings are granted for right and left knee instability from July 23, 2007 and continuing thereafter. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, arthritis, gastrointestinal disability, and brain atrophy (as a residual of TBI) is denied.,The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain, kyphoscoliosis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent since March 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a fracture of the right hand has been granted. The claims for service connection related to cyst of the mouth, left ankle disability, right lateral epicondylitis and right wrist sprain are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for the entire rating period prior to November 3, 2020. Effective November 3, 2020, a higher rating of over 40 percent is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and he has been employed as a licensed vocational nurse throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis in the right hip, finding that it is due to a service-connected disability (right tibia, fibula, and knee disability).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, including DDD, IVDS, spondylosis and degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that the current disabilities are not related to any such in-service event.

The Veteran's claims for left and right ankle degenerative arthritis, major depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, and a back disability have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,A separate claim of entitlement to service connection for fibromyalgia has also been remanded.