Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating of up to 40 percent is granted from September 20, 2018 to April 1, 2019 for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbosacral strain.,After April 2, 2019, a higher rating beyond 20 percent is not warranted. The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), including secondary to his IVDS with degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbosacral strain, is also remanded.

The Veteran's right hip degenerative arthritis is granted an initial 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The issues of service connection for a low back disability and TDIU prior to September 25, 2017 are also addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for chronic prostatitis and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to incomplete development, including missing VA treatment records. The Veteran will need a new examination and medical opinion to reconcile conflicting information regarding urinary tract infections and functional impairment.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and thus the case is being remanded again for an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is related to his active duty service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are related to service, and therefore remands the case for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine pain is proximately due to a fall resulting from his service-connected left knee disability, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for his left knee condition, finding no causal relationship to active service or secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for his left total knee replacement from October 1, 2018 forward.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his low back, neck, and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations that comply with Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Board denied service connection for back, left knee, right knee, and left ankle disorders as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis and PFS status post meniscectomy, sinusitis, GERD, and onychomycosis were all granted increased disability ratings. The highest rating available for the knee disabilities is 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during or were caused by his military service.,No new rating was assigned as the decision is solely on the issue of service connection.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from October 10, 1996 to March 23, 2010.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for Madelung deformity of the right wrist, plantar fasciitis, left foot, chondromalacia patella, right knee with degenerative arthritis, and residuals, left ankle sprain.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed back disability. The right ankle degenerative arthritis and left thigh scar increased ratings are granted.

Effective dates of March 1, 2013, have been granted for the awards of service connection for impairment of left muscle groups II, III, and IV.,No effective date earlier than May 26, 2017, has been granted for the awards of service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis, lumbar degenerative disc disease, or bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve dysfunction.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including pes planus and hammer toes, has been granted a separate rating of 30 percent. The right foot tendonitis with history of injury, metatarsalgia, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg muscle fascial defect and hernia, along with bilateral hip degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis, are currently rated as non-compensable prior to May 21, 2013; 10 percent disabling from that date until January 6, 2020; and 40 percent disabling thereafter.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder remains in dispute.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The issues include lumbar spine IVDS with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.