Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in functional impairment sufficient to prevent substantially gainful employment prior to July 7, 2017.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis need to be remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service connected due to a finding of continuous symptoms since service, meeting the requirements for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine from June 10, 1992 to September 28, 2006 has been granted at a 10 percent disability rate.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and partial medial meniscectomy, is rated at 20 percent effective September 15, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment prior to June 12, 2004.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and right lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at a 40 percent effective October 30, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders are related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and have granted service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to inadequate development of the record.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and back disability were granted increased ratings. The right ankle was rated at 20 percent, while the back disability was rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's knee disabilities were rated at 10 percent prior to June 25, 2020. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the right toes and left hip degenerative arthritis due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability, including tenosynovitis, degenerative arthritis, and total hip replacement, is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether this relationship exists.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities and a TDIU. The Board has remanded these matters due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TDIU and disability ratings for ankle and knee conditions. The Veteran is required to provide tax returns from 2008-2009 and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.