Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent prior to September 22, 2015, and denied for a higher rating thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found no continuity of symptomatology or causal relationship between the Veteran's current disability and his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee disabilities, including entitlement to increased ratings and TDIU prior to July 1, 2013. The examination of his knees is also required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a back disability due to insufficient consideration of his contention that he injured his back during service and an incomplete development of his private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to May 24, 2018 are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran is granted TDIU effective May 24, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right knee and ankle conditions are related to service, as well as whether any existing low back condition is related to service. The examiner will also address whether these conditions are secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent disability rating for his right knee meniscal tear, ACL tear with surgery and resultant osteoarthritis is denied. The Board has also remanded the case to obtain updated treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee scars, degenerative arthritis, and instability due to unclear findings regarding her service-connected conditions and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine is granted as his condition was incurred in service and there is no evidence of any other basis for the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar degenerative arthritis began during service and has continued since then, finding it at least as likely as not related to his military service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are evaluated at 10% prior to January 21, 2020, and 20% beginning from that date. The Veteran is denied an evaluation in excess of these ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for coccydynia, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and strain is currently rated at 40 percent from April 28, 2021. The Board has determined that the current ratings are less than the maximum available ratings and remands the case for further development to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disabilities are causally related to his service, including periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (IDT).,Service connection is granted for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee instability and degenerative arthritis was denied. The Veteran received a separate rating of 20 percent for dislocated semilunar cartilage from June 27, 2017.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis and vertigo have been remanded for further development.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions has not yet been established.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (femoral) has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected right knee, right foot, and scar disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further examination and additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there was no evidence of a right shoulder injury or condition during her military service, and the medical opinion concluded that any current right shoulder disability is not related to her service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right knee osteoarthritis have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.