Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is presumed to have existed at the time of his entrance into active duty service, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut this presumption. Therefore, the claim for service connection for right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis with IVDS are rated at 40 percent since August 1, 2014. Ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to April 16, 2020, and left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to August 11, 2016, have also been granted.

The Veteran's back disability is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of her service-connected lower back disability, including range of motion testing. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating assigned for her back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post spinal fusion, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome due to continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disorders, as well as cervical spine disorder, have been denied. The Board found no current disability associated with the ankles or cervical spine, either by diagnosis or functional impairment. There are also no objective indications of chronic undiagnosed disability associated with these conditions that manifested during service or to a degree of 10 percent or more following service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that the evidence is in at least relative equipoise as to whether the disability was incurred in or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, but denied service connection for a lung disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities, lumbar spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and plantar fasciitis. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disorder and increased rating for right ankle strain are still pending.

The Veteran's left thumb disability is currently rated as noncompensable due to a gap of less than one inch between the thumb pad and fingers. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.,More development is needed regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, including whether they are related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was vacated by the Court, necessitating a new examination. The appeal for service connection for PTSD remains pending.,A psychiatric examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has any diagnosed psychiatric disorders and their relationship to service. If PTSD is found, it must be determined whether it is related to an in-service stressor or personal assault.,The claim for TDIU may need further development as it could be affected by the results of the above examinations.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are rated under the rating criteria for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. The Board has decided to remand these issues due to new evidence of worsening symptoms and recent surgery.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle avascular necrosis and osteochondral necrosis of the medial talar dome with osteoarthritis is granted. The Board found that his in-service symptoms were related to his current conditions.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for service-connected left ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee patella tendonitis with history of Osgood-Schlatter disease are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is granted a 10 percent rating, effective August 1, 2009. The bone spur of the right foot remains noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea and a rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine prior to May 24, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation and evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee meniscus tear and osteoarthritis, finding that the current schedular ratings adequately compensate his disability. The case is now remanded to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements about her left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate examination findings and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle, bilateral hip, and low back degenerative arthritis. The conditions are considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected pes planus.