Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 1, 2016. The Board denied the claim for TDIU on both schedular and extraschedular grounds.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent was appropriate for his left foot hallux rigidus, but remanded other issues including service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tear, loss of teeth, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips is granted as secondary to her service-connected spondylosis of the lumbar spine. The claims for hypertension and a bilateral wrist disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The case will be reviewed again with a new examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, back, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to December 9, 2015. From that date forward, the Veteran is now granted a 40 percent rating for his lumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

A 30 percent rating is granted for the Veteran's post-TKR left knee disability, effective throughout.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral eye disability and for ratings in excess of 20 percent for left elbow osteoarthritis and 10 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis, finding that the preponderance of evidence was against his claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability has been granted, with a separate rating of 10 percent for instability from September 30, 2009. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent based on limitation of motion remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a low back condition has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for the cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to December 6, 2019 and 40 percent thereafter. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his low back condition due to an inadequate previous examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left hip, and bilateral foot disability as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the prior decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, tinnitus, and PTSD have been granted. The new and material evidence has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his lumbar spine disorder and its relationship to his military service, as well as whether his radiculopathy of the lower extremities and acquired psychiatric disorder are secondary to his lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals regarding his right knee and left knee disability ratings, as well as his claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The case is now remanded to obtain a new medical opinion on the issue of service connection for a left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty.,Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Board found that the Veteran had continuous back pain since service and supported this by private medical opinions.

The appeal of the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is dismissed. The petition to reopen service connection for hypertension has been granted, and the issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to right knee instability, left knee instability, bilateral hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, left hip limitation of flexion, left hip degenerative arthritis with residuals of left femur fracture, right knee meniscal tear with arthritis, residuals of a left knee injury with arthritis, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated as 10 percent prior to January 9, 2020 and as 20 percent from November 9, 2020 onwards. The cervical spine disability was rated as 10 percent prior to January 9, 2020. Tension headaches were not assigned a compensable rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent since November 9, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right and left big toe joint disabilities, head injury residuals, osteoarthritis of the right hip with limited extension, internal hemorrhoids, peripheral neuropathy of the right toes, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2016. As a result, TDIU is granted.