Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to missing VA examinations, new evidence received, and issues with the adequacy of previous medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral rotator cuff tears and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his representation through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's neck disability (degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine) is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right arm disability (right olecranon bursitis and degenerative arthritis) is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left arm disability, to include osteoarthritis of the wrist, is remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right hand disability (right elbow disability) is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left hand disability (osteoarthritis of the wrist) is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is remanded to determine if it was aggravated by his third period of active duty or related to his first two periods.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and unverified stressors. The Veteran's right knee conditions, acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea/sleep disorder, and acid reflux/hiatal hernia are all being reviewed again.

Service connection for hypertension was denied.,The Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion and instability were not granted increased ratings, but a 10% rating was granted prior to February 24, 2015, and a 20% rating from February 24, 2015 through April 17, 2016.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome was granted a 40% rating prior to April 18, 2016 and denied for higher ratings thereafter. ,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve were not granted increased ratings.,Service connection for ankylosing spondylosis and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was granted, but denied for higher ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and a rotator cuff tear, is related to service and the claim for service connection has been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction, but has remanded the case to obtain a VA examination regarding osteoarthritis of the right hip.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis based on continuous post-service symptoms since service separation, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service complaints of collapsing and giving way of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck fusion with arthritis, right foot arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative arthritis was denied, while the appeal for a 20 percent rating, but no more, for cervical degenerative arthritis and disc disease was granted.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 20 percent effective September 30, 2014. His right lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent, but he does not have a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's colonic diverticulum surgery residuals are rated at 30 percent, which is the highest available rating under the assigned diagnostic code. The right ankle degenerative arthritis remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and right knee osteoarthritis were granted. The claims for hypertension and diabetes were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, medial and lateral meniscal tears, and residuals of anterior cruciate ligament tear, as well as left knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of continuous bilateral knee symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for B cell lymphoma, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, right hip disability, and chronic low back disability with degenerative joint disease due to secondary service-connected left hip disability. The VA is required to obtain Social Security Administration records and provide additional medical opinions regarding the relationship of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at a 20 percent disability level since November 13, 2018. This rating reflects his limited range of motion and frequent flare-ups.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities have been rated at the minimum level due to painful motion, but do not meet criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran’s low back disability has been rated at 20 percent and does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of range of motion.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings as the Veteran died during the appeal process.