Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities.,A 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis was granted effective December 12, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 40% from April 26, 2010 to April 26, 2015. The Board granted TDIU effective January 1, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's post-total knee replacement (TKR) left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to the reduction of his rating for degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine with posterolisthesis and claims for increased ratings. The Board has determined that these matters are inextricably intertwined and have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reduction of her 30 percent ratings to 10 percent were denied as there was no evidence of sustained improvement in her knee conditions, and the reductions were proper based on the April 2009 and August 2010 VA examination reports.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and right hip disability, but granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is considered secondary to the Veteran's pre-existing back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the right hand and fingers, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current osteoarthritis and cold exposure in service. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis were rated at 10 percent prior to April 7, 2014 for the right knee and May 5, 2014 for the left knee. The appeals for higher ratings in these periods have been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection and rating issues.

The Board has remanded four issues related to instability and degenerative arthritis of the Veteran's knees due to inadequate VA examination reports. The case is being returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the spine, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, sinusitis (including chronic cough), and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knees and right knee scars due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA disability benefit records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to November 30, 2012 and denied for a higher rating. Since November 30, 2012, the claim remains denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine has been granted at a 20 percent level. The ratings for her left and right knee disabilities have been remanded, as well as her claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and pelvic floor dysfunction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disorders, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnoses and service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran's heart conditions are related to his service, including herbicide agent exposure. The examiner is also asked to consider all relevant evidence of record, such as medical records and treatment notes.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, right knee patellar tendonitis, left knee patellar tendonitis, right ankle strain, and left ankle strain disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations. The Board has found that the criteria for increased ratings are not met in all cases.

The Veteran's right tibotaler joint arthritis and left ankle osteoarthritis of the tibiotalar joint are currently rated at 10 percent each, effective October 11, 2013 for the right ankle and February 8, 2017 for the left ankle. The Board has determined that these ratings are appropriate as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, osteoarthritis of bilateral hand, carpal tunnel syndrome of bilateral wrist, and gastroesophageal reflux disease as these conditions were not shown to be related to active military service.