Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection for a back disorder and other disabilities is denied, while his TDIU claim is also denied due to the lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis, lumbar spine was denied by the Board. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to May 24, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his lower back condition is granted service connection. The decision denies a higher rating for the hearing loss.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis (limitation of extension) is now rated at 30 percent from April 9, 2021.,The Veteran's right knee instability is now rated at 20 percent effective April 9, 2021 and 10 percent prior to that date.,A separate 10 percent rating for a painful right knee scar associated with right knee osteoarthritis has been granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted at a rating of 30 percent effective July 12, 2021.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected ischemic heart disease. The claims for increased ratings of degenerative arthritis of the spine, peroneal or sciatic nerve weakness of the right and left lower extremities, and SMC based on aid and attendance are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded.,Service connection is being remanded for left hip degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and bilateral feet (including degenerative arthritis and plantar fasciitis).

The Veteran's left foot metatarsalgia is granted service connection, but his other claimed conditions (bilateral pes planus and degenerative arthritis) are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely substantive appeals were received in response to the March 18, 2019 Statements of the Case. As a result, the appeal is granted for all issues listed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee strain with osteoarthritis disability is related to his service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is denied as the evidence does not show that symptoms were chronic in service or manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.,Service connection for the headache disability is denied as there are no records showing very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further review due to inadequate assessments of the Veteran's knee disabilities and clarification on his employment history.

Your claims for service connection have been granted, and you are now receiving a 10% rating for each of the conditions. The appeals are dismissed as they no longer identify specific determinations with which you disagree.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,For the appeal period beginning on July 15, 2021, the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, finding that there is no current diagnosis of these conditions and that any diagnosed conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as cervical spine DDD with IVDS, have been granted increased ratings. The specific conditions include right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve.

The Board has remanded the claims for further review due to a lack of compliance with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).