Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee was denied. A separate 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, for instability of the right knee since May 5, 2020 is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue, but has remanded his claim for service connection for osteoarthritis due to insufficient development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right hip is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and sustaining employment, as his combined disability rating was only 60 percent.

Your appeal for an increased rating for your left knee disability has been dismissed as the Veteran and his attorney have withdrawn their request.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with arthritis is granted a 40 percent rating prior to May 6, 2019. However, the claim for a higher rating from that date forward is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, retro-patellofemoral pain syndrome, strain, degenerative joint disease, and chondromalacia patellae as these conditions are found to be etiologically related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to new rating criteria for musculoskeletal disabilities, and a supplemental statement of the case must be issued considering these changes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that his current knee conditions are related to in-service repetitive low crawl exercises and subsequent wear and tear over a long period of time.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's lower back disability. Therefore, another remand is required to obtain a medical opinion addressing the lay statements concerning the onset and continuity of symptomatology related to her lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted at 20 percent each, effective from October 3, 2016. The Veteran also received a separate rating for bladder dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to failure to reschedule VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities remain before the Board.

Service connection for a low back disability, to include spinal stenosis is granted. An increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis are denied. The Veteran's GERD is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under DC 5260 or 20 percent under DC 5257, and that he is already receiving the maximum available rating under DC 5258.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee strain/meniscal tear with osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and assessment of functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The claim for tinnitus is denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) prior to July 2, 2019, and a higher rating thereafter is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of hips and joints as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities, finding that it is at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches, low back disability, and left knee disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements and positive nexus opinions provided by his private physician.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected internal derangement, left knee.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of a 10% rating for right knee osteoarthritis. Other conditions and issues remained denied.