Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, are found to be so severe that they render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting a VA examination. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's back brace, used for his service-connected degenerative arthritis with IVDS and right knee disability, is granted a clothing allowance for 2015. However, the right knee brace is not granted a clothing allowance as there is no evidence of wear and tear on clothing.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted service connection, and his right hand disability with osteoarthritis is granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis is granted as service connected. The initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and left hip status post joint replacement are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hip strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine have been denied. The Board has found that he does not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other functional loss.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a right shoulder strain is remanded, indicating further review is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for cervical spine degenerative arthritis is denied as the increase in disability became factually ascertainable on February 9, 2019.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied because these conditions did not arise until after the initial claim period.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is granted as of November 13, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral knee/leg disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service or any injury in service. The claim was also denied as secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability from December 27, 2019 to September 21, 2020 has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for left knee limitation of extension is being remanded.,The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating from June 29, 2021, forward for left knee limitation of flexion is also being remanded.

Service connection is granted for left and right hip disorders.,Service connection is also granted for right ear hearing loss, presumed due to acoustic trauma during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU was denied. The case is remanded to clarify the Veteran's last date of full-time employment.

The Veteran's lumbar condition was granted a disability rating of 40 percent, effective from various dates throughout the appeal period. His right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected back disability prior to November 25, 2019 and in excess of 20 percent from that date is denied. The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis was granted service connection but remains at a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to July 26, 2019 for degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) due to insufficient medical evidence addressing functional loss or additional loss due to flare-ups and repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion and VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the claim regarding increased disability ratings.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, finding that it had its onset during active service and is related to a documented injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, and spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is asked to provide private medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to his service or any other condition, including his right total knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding the Veteran's back disorder, including whether it is related to his military service and if it is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and upper back disability are not due to his active-duty service. The claims have been denied.