Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at the maximum allowed, and a higher rating for limitation of extension is denied.,A separate evaluation of moderate instability is granted. A higher evaluation for instability is not warranted due to the amputation rule.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective opinions on passive range of motion at prior examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is at least as likely as not related to his active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examination reports and any outstanding private treatment records. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the left hip increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to a previous denial of service connection for low back disability, and further development is needed to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service parachute jumps and continuity of symptoms.

The claim for service connection for synovitis, left knee with osteoarthritis is reopened and the appeal is granted. The Board also remanded the case to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current left knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee condition, all of which are currently denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the right knee, left knee, and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine prior to April 25, 2019.

The Veteran's TBI with PTSD is granted a total rating, and his left eye recurrent corneal erosions, painful motion of the left knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome), GERD, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are all granted increased ratings. The Veteran’s tendon strain of the right fifth finger remains remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability, rated at 40 percent since November 1, 2012, has been granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective May 27, 2009 (excluding a period of temporary total convalescence rated at 100 percent from August 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions regarding service connection for GERD and obstructive sleep apnea.

Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for circumcision scarring is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for right shoulder rotator cuff tear, subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis (claimed as right shoulder disability) secondary to service-connected left ankle sprain with instability is denied.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, impingement syndrome of the left shoulder with osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral strain with mild DDD have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Veteran's back disability, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS, has been rated at 40 percent since July 23, 2009 to December 13, 2012, and from February 1, 2013 forward. The Board found that the disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the February 2016 rating decision. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to October 17, 2019 and is now denied for a rating in excess of that level.,Since October 17, 2019, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent and remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee osteoarthritis and left eye disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the current severity of the left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, status post lumbar surgery and depression to include as secondary to his back disability due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for his neck disability, due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.