Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's continuous back pain since service is at least in equipoise with the evidence and thus resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's pre-TKR left knee disability is rated at a combined of 30 percent from June 8, 2014 to September 12, 2017. A rating in excess of 50 percent for the post-TKR period is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including chondromalacia with postoperative anteromedial plica and osteoarthritis, is rated at 10 percent. The rating for right knee instability has been granted but remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right foot degenerative arthritis is granted a 20% evaluation, but no higher. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for the gunshot wound to the left leg, finding that it did not originate in service or within a year of service and was not otherwise etiologically related. The BUE condition and OSA were also found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disability, as the previous opinion was inadequate and did not comply with remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records. The issues of rating his service-connected shoulder and fibula disabilities under the revised criteria will also be considered.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent during the period prior to March 23, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected right hip, left ankle, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities. The initial rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right leg length discrepancy and its superimposed conditions (Lumbar Spine Condition, Right Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis of Left Knee) is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Lumbar Spine Condition is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions on causation and aggravation, as well as a disconnect between requested and provided opinions.

The Veteran's migraine disorder is not entitled to a compensable evaluation prior to March 22, 2019 and is only rated at 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis remains rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral foot conditions and left ankle disability are granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The highest available rating of 30 percent is assigned for the right knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical inquiry and to provide a response to the Veteran's attorney regarding requested information.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for left ankle scar, left shoulder scar, and painful left shoulder scar were dismissed due to the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of muscle atrophy or ankylosis associated with the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder condition is related to his military service. The examiner must provide a detailed opinion on this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a separate issue of limitation of flexion have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.