Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board dismissed all claims related to service connection and ratings for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The effective dates were also not granted.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted. The issue of entitlement to higher ratings and TDIU prior to September 27, 2018 remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claim for fibromyalgia and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Veteran also failed to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle condition and bilateral foot calluses, finding that there was no evidence of chronic conditions during or after service.,The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for direct service connection as they are not linked to his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and a higher rating for his right knee arthritis were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for the separate rating of right knee instability was granted, but the case is now remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of an effective date prior to February 12, 2012, for the grant of a separate compensable rating for right cervical radiculopathy and initial ratings for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and mild reversal of normal lordosis since February 12, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder, sciatic radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and femoral radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are all rated at their maximum allowable evaluations. The Veteran's left hip disorder is also rated at its maximum allowable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of bilateral knees is not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a link between his military service and the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status, finding that he did not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) prior to November 29, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities and lack of substantial confinement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence and concluding that his left knee condition is not related to his right hip degenerative joint disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new medical opinions addressing direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for semi, anterior vertebral lumbar fusion of L3-L4 with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his left shoulder disability, including any orthopedic, neurological and muscle impairment.

Your claims for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these claims before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for lower back disability, right ankle disability, left knee osteoarthritis, status post meniscectomy of the right knee, and degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The Veteran was also referred for a TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic left and right knee pain with osteoarthritis due to inadequate explanation and additional development needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports not addressing the impact of flare-ups, and for a new examination that complies with Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and VA compensation benefits due to a lack of qualifying service prior to his discharge being changed from Under Other Than Honorable Conditions to honorable in August 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current back disorders are related to his military service, specifically parachute jumps during active duty.