Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle disability, to include osteoarthritis. The claim for joint pain due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's hallux valgus and hallux rigidus, status post arthoplasty left third toe with history of fracture left great toe is rated at a 30 percent rating. The Veteran's bilateral foot hyperkeratotic lesions and plantar warts are not compensable. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis is rated at the maximum available schedular rating.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral compartment is granted as service-connected.,For the period prior to October 29, 2019, the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating. From October 29, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's right shoulder disability meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating.,For the period from October 29, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's left shoulder disability meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his left knee laxity was restored to a 10 percent rating as of January 1, 2021. A higher 20 percent rating for left knee laxity was granted effective February 7, 2021.,The reduction in the rating for left knee laxity from 10 percent to noncompensable (0%) was improper and has been restored as of January 1, 2021.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent prior to December 17, 2020. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were previously discontinued due to his dissatisfaction with the counseling services. The Board has ordered a new evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor to determine if he is now eligible for VR&E and suitable for the proposed program.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy were granted increased ratings effective October 15, 2020. The disability was rated at 40 percent for the lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence of current severity of service-connected left and right foot disabilities, requiring a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees due to inadequate examination reports. The case is now pending again with the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion due to inadequacies in the April 2012 VA back examination, and the matter of TDIU prior to September 2, 2020 is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal, and TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with ACL sprain was granted a 40% rating from January 23, 2014 to November 5, 2020. Effective August 22, 2012, the Veteran is considered permanently and totally disabled due to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding whether service connection should be granted for pre-existing lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder. The VA examiner is requested to provide addendum opinions on whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as the previous VA examination did not comply with the requirements set forth in Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 26, 2019, and 20 percent thereafter. The knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent.,Both conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar stenosis with degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent from January 29, 2010 and granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent. The Veteran also received an increased disability rating for his sciatic nerve impairment of the right lower extremity (RLE) to 20 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability, currently diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, is granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for hypothyroidism was denied as the evidence did not show fatigability, constipation, or mental sluggishness.,Service connection for left shoulder disability, broken right great toe, and broken right thumb were all denied due to lack of probative medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is remanded.