Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 40 percent, effective December 23, 2019. The right lower extremity radiculopathy remains rated at 20 percent from April 30, 2015. SMC at the housebound rate was granted starting June 28, 2021.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 70 percent from December 20, 2019. The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's right wrist degenerative arthritis was tantamount to loss of use of his right hand prior to December 20, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as bilateral hand tremors due to service connection issues. Additional VA medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with its previous directives, specifically regarding imaging studies of the Veteran's right knee. The claim remains on appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for subpatellar chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination reports and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received to reconsider the Veteran's claims on appeal. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with left knee, lower back, and right shoulder disabilities; service treatment records confirm treatment for left knee and back conditions; and he is service connected for a right knee disability. The Board finds remand necessary due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional error in not providing an adequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and will need to schedule an appropriate examiner to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's IVDS and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or more than 15 degrees of forward flexion. The Veteran's radiculopathy and osteoarthritis are also rated at their maximum levels.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at its maximum level.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right shoulder arthroplasty, status post dislocation with degenerative arthritis, prior to October 17, 2016, has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and remanded his claims for increased rating for dry eye syndrome and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating of her left wrist disability is remanded, and the case is returned to the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to re-enter the workforce and work in any substantially gainful capacity, considering his level of education, prior work experience, and training.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is needed.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by limited flexion and instability, is now rated at 20 percent effective June 8, 2021.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis of the right foot and deformity and partial resection of the middle phalanx of the right 5th toe, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left wrist condition is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted, as it is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, asthma, and orthopedic conditions.,The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative arthritis and right ankle condition are remanded for further development.,Service connection for a right ankle condition is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and hypertension are being remanded due to new evidence that has not been considered by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The issues regarding the left shoulder disability and TDIU remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis was denied. A separate rating of 20 percent, effective June 19, 2021, for right knee effusion was granted.