Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his left hand and thumb conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD was dismissed due to his death. The issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder has been resolved, and the Veteran is presumed to seek the maximum available benefit.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his left knee disability did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations. The left knee osteoarthritis and ACL reconstruction, as well as the right knee degenerative changes, are all rated at 10 percent each since February 25, 2020 for painful limitation of extension.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and left knee degenerative arthritis have been granted service connection. The initial rating for the left knee has also been granted at a 20% level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to various procedural and evidentiary issues, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations and opinions to assess the severity of his service-connected knee and back disabilities, including addressing prior range of motion measurements.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and a meniscal tear with meniscectomy, is now rated at 30 percent effective October 4, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent from June 22, 2009 to May 23, 2021. The evidence does not support a higher rating during this period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for breathing related disorder (claimed as anxiety), left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent effective August 2, 2017. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is currently rated at 30 percent effective March 18, 2019. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to this date.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding no evidence linking it to active duty service or any other related conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus remanded for further development including obtaining a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and sleep apnea as secondary to depressive disorder are granted service connection. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the knees, ankles, hips, and fingers, Hepatitis C, or a heart disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature, etiology, and severity of his claimed conditions. The issues include right hip arthritis, glaucoma, gout, hearing loss, knee disability, and sleep disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected bilateral ankle and knee disabilities have been denied. The right ankle disability remains at a maximum rating of 20%, while the left ankle disability is rated as 20% disabling. Ratings in excess of these levels are not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his right shoulder disability. The Board finds that the existing medical evidence is insufficient to make an informed decision regarding this issue.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in January 2020 is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable, as he can perform sedentary work with some restrictions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hand conditions (right-hand condition and left-hand condition) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hepatitis.