Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine was granted, with an effective date of March 25, 2020. The Veteran now receives a 40 percent disability rating from July 19, 2005 to March 25, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine was granted, with an effective date of March 25, 2020. The Veteran now receives a 40 percent disability rating from July 19, 2005 to March 25, 2020.

The Veteran's initial and increased rating claims for his right knee disabilities have been granted, with a specific 20 percent rating assigned for right knee instability effective February 7, 2021.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that new and relevant evidence submitted by the Veteran supports this decision. The disability is presumed to have started during service.

The Veteran's right and left hip limitation of flexion have been granted a 10 percent rating, effective June 26, 2019.

The Veteran's right knee residuals status post total knee replacement resulted in a preexisting condition being aggravated by VA medical treatment, warranting an effective date of January 10, 2011 for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and bilateral knee osteoarthritis have been granted. However, the claim for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to May 7, 2013 was denied. A 40 percent rating is granted since that date. The claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for left knee arthritis and TDIU prior to April 7, 2020 are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee condition, including degenerative arthritis, due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 10 percent since September 24, 2012. Prior to that date, the disability was not service-connected or did not meet criteria for a higher rating. The current rating is based on limited range of motion without ankylosis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and spinal stenosis with fusion, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, a left foot disability, a right knee disability, hypogammaglobinemia (CVID), and a cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. A new VA examination must be conducted and these defects remedied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective January 27, 2011. The Board has remanded the issue of increased rating for the lumbar spine disability beginning January 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for groin condition, right foot hallux valgus, right foot pes planus, and right knee osteoarthritis due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records and a copy of the examiner's curriculum vitae.

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of flexion to 30 degrees required for a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities substantially impairing his ability to work.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA treatment record and to provide the Veteran with a medical opinion regarding his left hip disability, including whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.