Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee injury with osteoarthritis, finding that new and relevant evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim. However, the Board also found that the weight of the evidence was against finding an in-service injury or chronic symptoms after service separation, leading to denial of service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and additional evidentiary development is required.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, was found to not warrant a higher rating than 20 percent prior to October 15, 2015. The evidence did not show any significant worsening of the condition that would justify a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of both knees had its onset during service and is related to his active-duty service, thus granting service connection for bilateral knee conditions.

The Veteran's back disability and related radiculopathy issues, as well as his right knee limitation of flexion and painful extension, were granted increased ratings. His left knee disability was denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and right hip bursitis, finding that the current disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination and insufficient nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is requested to provide Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of his current lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been granted ratings from July 1, 2011 to January 23, 2019. The Veteran is now in receipt of a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability. For the period beginning December 14, 2017 to November 18, 2019, he was granted ratings of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). The Veteran's claims for increased ratings beyond these periods were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to substantially comply with its previous instructions. The Veteran's right elbow disability is being reviewed again for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral elbow conditions, and left knee condition have been granted service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus has a maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. A 70% rating for PTSD is granted effective September 6, 2006. Service connection for the bilateral elbow conditions and left knee condition are also granted effective September 6, 2006.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a 20 percent rating, effective March 1, 2013. The Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion due to degenerative arthritis and left knee limitation of extension due to degenerative arthritis are each granted separate 10 percent ratings, effective from March 1, 2013.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with wedge fracture of T8 was not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine during the period from October 31, 2011 to May 22, 2012.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, including consideration of his military service and specific incidents. The Veteran's current back disorder is related to his civilian occupation as a crossing guard rather than his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lateral epicondylitis and elbow supination and pronation with osteoarthritis have been granted increased ratings, but no higher. The right elbow received a 20 percent rating for flexion limited to 90 degrees or less and a 30 percent rating for pronation beyond the middle of the arc. The left elbow received a similar 20 percent rating for flexion limited to 90 degrees or less and a 30 percent rating for pronation beyond the middle of the arc. The right elbow supination and pronation with osteoarthritis was granted a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar bulging discs L3 to S1 levels and denied service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the extremities (bilateral upper and lower extremities), bilateral hip trochanteric bursitis, and bilateral patellofemoral syndrome with joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the spine is related to a back injury sustained while in active-duty service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% likelihood (equipoise) that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine was incurred in or related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right elbow osteoarthritis and left foot hallux valgus due to inadequate VA examinations, outstanding treatment records, and failure to discuss private therapy records. The Veteran must be provided with a new VA examination to assess her current disability severity.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the issues on appeal, including obtaining new VA opinions to address the etiology of the claimed disabilities and considering the appellant's claims regarding in-service radiation exposure. The remanded issues are CHF, kidney disability, lung disability, and osteoarthritis due to ionizing radiation exposure.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not manifest during or as a result of his military service.