Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded for further development regarding his right shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities due to potential Reserve service exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, internal derangement of the ACL with degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and total right knee replacement are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for peroneal tear of the right ankle was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for marked limited motion, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis status post rotator cuff repair was reduced from 30 percent to 20 percent effective March 3, 2017. The Board finds that the reduction was improper due to a failure to consider whether there was material improvement in the Veteran's condition and if it would be maintained under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's knee and back conditions are related to service, specifically parachute landings. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay statements of in-service injuries and a learned treatise on arthritis development.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders, including patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis, are related to his active service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he had such an injury during his active service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, rated at 40 percent prior to August 19, 2014, and 20 percent thereafter, is remanded for further development due to inconsistencies in the medical records regarding the nature of the injuries sustained during service.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a higher rating of 40 percent from November 8, 2019, but his left lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 40 percent. Both conditions are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim is also remanded as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, but has remanded it for further development to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether his current conditions are related to in-service knee pain.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand degenerative arthritis and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that these conditions began during active duty. Service connection was denied for a bacterial infection claimed as a result of VA treatment.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and flexion/extension limitations, has been rated at 20 percent since December 1, 2017.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's forward flexion did not reach 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted service connection, while his back disability remains remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a higher rating for the Veteran's right knee disability and has remanded the issue of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee. The effective date for service connection is granted as May 8, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability, specifically prior to November 5, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the etiology of these conditions, with some opinions suggesting they are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for HNP of the lumbar spine with DJD and IVDS, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle sprain with DJD, a rating in excess of 10 percent for status post left ankle reconstruction with DJD, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder degenerative arthritis with rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10% for limitation of flexion. He also has a separate 10% rating for instability since March 25, 2008.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion and granted a 10 percent rating for instability/subluxation from January 31, 2011 to May 11, 2021. The Board denied higher ratings for the right knee disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including whether a separate rating under DC 5257 is warranted. The case is being remanded for this purpose.