Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to weight gain caused by his service-connected psychiatric and musculoskeletal disabilities. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and incomplete private treatment records. The Veteran's back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is being reviewed for higher ratings.

The Veteran's left knee conditions have been granted increased ratings, with the anterior intrameniscal ligament tear and degenerative arthritis receiving a maximum schedular rating of 20 percent effective August 26, 2016. The instability condition received a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent effective January 6, 2018.

The Veteran's right knee surgical scars are not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee surgical scar is rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and instability do not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the Board issuing a final decision.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 19, 2015 is being remanded due to the need to refer it to VA's Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection awards due to lack of CUE in the January 2007 rating decisions. The Veteran's claims were continuously prosecuted and no new evidence was submitted within one year of the final decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergies, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability are not service-connected. The heart disability and hypertension have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for left knee disability and a separate compensable rating for left femoral nerve neuropathy. The Veteran's other service connection claims are no longer in appellate status.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for left knee instability from September 1, 2006 is granted. The Board found that the Veteran had slight lateral instability of the left knee as of this date and awarded him a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and compensable ratings for left knee disability, left knee scars, and right knee scars were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his anxiety disorder and left ankle degenerative arthritis with history of sprain and instability, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right foot osteoarthritis has been granted a 30 percent rating, effective from September 16, 2015. The condition is characterized by chronic intense pain and functional impairment that requires the use of a cane for support.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and bilateral knee disorders, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 29, 2007. The Board has granted an effective date of August 29, 2007 for his claim of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities due to a lack of recent medical examinations. The Veteran is also being remanded for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's right foot strain was initially rated as noncompensable prior to October 19, 2017. From October 19, 2017 to September 9, 2020, a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected right foot strain is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her hysterectomy and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and clarification needed regarding the presence of vaginal vault prolapse or rectal prolapse.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the current disability did not have its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spondylosis and osteoarthritis of the back, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for immune system malfunction with food allergies (due to psoriasis).,The Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for his immune system malfunction with food allergies was not fully addressed due to insufficient medical opinion and potential outstanding VA treatment records.