Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to address the presence of neurologic abnormalities and loss of use of feet due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent prior to July 11, 2019 and at 40 percent thereafter. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent from February 12, 2019 onwards.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and extraschedular considerations, as well as DIC benefits. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and postoperative left shoulder scar disability are currently rated based on their service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the left hand with post-traumatic changes, specifically his little finger, was denied. The claim for an increased rating for a scar on the left little finger was granted.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, ankle, and back disabilities as well as COPD. The Veteran's pre-existing left knee condition was not aggravated by service, and there is no evidence of a current disability related to his right knee or ankles that can be linked to service. Service connection for COPD was also denied due to lack of exposure to Agent Orange.

A 20 percent rating for cervical spine osteoarthritis was granted from September 3, 2013 to August 6, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 20 percent for cervical spine osteoarthritis since August 7, 2020 is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a heart disability and degenerative arthritis, to include degenerative joint disease of the left hand due to further development being needed.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities since June 18, 2013.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left wrist disability. The issues of service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to incomplete or insufficient examination reports.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left and right knees has been rated at 10 percent since November 9, 2010.,Higher ratings are not warranted as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability that would justify a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded due to insufficient examination regarding pain and range of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities were reduced, but the Board found that there was not sufficient evidence to support these reductions and ordered them to be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 3, 2014. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period prior to November 24, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU beginning April 24, 2007.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability, but denied a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's right total knee replacement is granted with a 60% evaluation from May 1, 2014, through June 11, 2017. The claim for TDIU prior to June 12, 2017, is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable due to his right ulnar neuropathy and osteoarthritis of the right wrist, as he was capable of performing activities required by employment.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic diarrhea and cervical spondylosis with degenerative arthritis have been denied. The Veteran's acid reflux claim has been remanded, as well as his glaucoma rating prior to specific dates.,The Veteran's service connection claim for acid reflux was remanded due to the need for additional development.