Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, lateral meniscus tear and chondromalacia of the patella. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective August 9, 2016. The Board has determined that a higher initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee strain with osteoarthritis is warranted due to worsening since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's respiratory disability, as currently diagnosed, is granted. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted. The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease and neck disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical examination evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 27, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for disabilities of both feet, including degenerative arthritis. The remand is due to inadequate range of motion measurements in the previous VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee strain, right foot degenerative arthritis, and hypertension. The Veteran's conditions are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible reports of its onset during service, resolving all doubts in his favor. Service connection for neck disorder, radiculopathy of upper extremities, right shoulder disorder, and left ankle disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's initial and increased evaluations for right knee degenerative arthritis with Baker's cyst status post right meniscal tear repair, as well as his lumbar spine disability evaluation prior to October 17, 2020, were denied. For the period beginning March 20, 2009, a higher evaluation of 10 percent for right knee instability was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and needs a supplemental opinion regarding whether the left knee disability is caused directly by service or proximately caused by the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a sprain, is at least as likely as not related to her in-service injury. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right and left knee limitations of flexion with degenerative arthritis due to an inadequate VA examination based on an inaccurate factual background.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee replacements and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise that his service-connected conditions prevent him from obtaining and maintaining such employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error regarding the psychiatric conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee degenerative arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder are also being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for a heart disability. The cases of lumbar spine and Type II diabetes mellitus are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of limitation of motion sufficient for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no evidence supporting a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative joint disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right ankle sprain, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined service-connected disability rating of 80 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that the current condition is not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for peripheral neuropathy, left hip and knee disabilities, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and prostate hypertrophy due to additional development being necessary. Specifically, the AOJ must obtain all outstanding medical records from University Medical Associates.