Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis status post lateral meniscectomy and right knee joint osteoarthritis with instability have been rated at 20 percent each, but the RO has denied an increased rating for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease and bilateral knee arthritis are preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, as per his statements and VA examination reports. The Board has remanded the case for further consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU award.

The Veteran's left ankle and lumbar strain disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other functional loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, including a right knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for Barrett's Esophagus, severance of prior grants of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine, and whether GAD should be severed from service. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions were aggravated by INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left total knee replacement are granted with a 60 percent rating effective October 1, 2015. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right knee instability and osteoarthritis (manifested by limitation of extension) are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his in-service injury and his current condition.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, prostate cancer, and COPD. The right knee degenerative arthritis claim was granted with a separate rating for left knee strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for osteoarthritis of the right knee, sarcoidosis, lung damage/chronic bronchitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and congestive heart failure (CHF) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records from VA and Social Security Administration (SSA), and a VA examination for each condition.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure the Veteran receives appropriate assistance in developing his claims prior to final adjudication.,The Veteran's service connection claims for right elbow and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's effective date for a 40% rating for his service-connected right wrist disability is set at October 29, 2013. The decision grants the increased rating and resolves any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right shoulder disorder, finding that there is no medical nexus establishing causality between current complaints and military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence supporting a link between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition.

The Veteran's spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted. The case is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records and schedule an examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for a left knee/left tibia disability is granted. The VA has remanded the cases of increased rating for right shoulder arthritis, rating for left shoulder surgical scars, and service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and trochanteric pain syndrome.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed. The Board has remanded several issues including right foot neuropathy, left foot neuropathy, sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral primary open angle glaucoma, chronic fatigue syndrome, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's chronic low back disorder with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, IVDS (Intervertebral Disc Syndrome), and spinal stenosis is currently rated at 40 percent prior to January 20, 2021.,A separate rating of 10 percent for sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity from October 5, 2006 has been granted.,A separate rating of 10 percent for sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from May 3, 2007 has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle osteoarthritis and lumbosacral strain have been remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess current disability levels.