Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to August 2, 2016 is denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from October 14, 2019 is remanded due to inadequate examination findings and further development is needed.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis prior to September 16, 2020, and reopening of claim for total left knee replacement.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back condition is denied, as the evidence does not show that his disability warrants a rating in excess of 40 percent. The Veteran's left knee condition has also been rated at 10 percent and remains unchanged.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities need further examination and evaluation to determine their current severity, especially regarding functional loss during flare-ups. The case is being sent back for these evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, finding no evidence of a relationship between his claimed conditions and service. The right knee condition is currently rated at 10%.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for left knee instability and denied increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the left knee with limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine and left hip disabilities. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records, arrange for new examinations, and provide a clear opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder, low back disorder, and respiratory disorder are all granted. The decision also notes that the claim of service connection for a low back disorder is reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Veteran's spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent from October 17, 2019. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted and the case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy associated with a back disability, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left ankle disability prior to October 29, 2020 was granted at a 10 percent level. The appeal for an increased rating beyond this level is denied.

The Veteran is granted a higher rating of 40 percent for his right shoulder disability prior to November 18, 2019 and denied in excess of 40 percent from that date.,The Veteran's radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent effective November 18, 2019.,The Veteran's scars are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis was granted service connection and an effective date of the grant is set.,An effective date prior to February 5, 2018 for the grant of service connection for tension headaches is denied. The Veteran submitted a formal claim on April 27, 2018.,The Veteran's initial claims for left ear hearing loss and back disability are remanded as his current level or nature of these disabilities may not be reflective of the evidence of record.,The Veteran's neck disability is also remanded as his current level or nature of this disability may not be reflective of the evidence of record.,The Veteran's initial claim for tension headaches is remanded as his current level or nature of this disability may not be reflective of the evidence of record.

The Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, which include bilateral hip osteoarthritis and joint replacement, below the knee amputation on the right, neuropathy of the right radial nerve, left knee disability, and PTSD. The Board found that he meets the criteria for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing as his service-connected disabilities result in a need for constant use of a wheelchair and canes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability to include degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, shoulder, and GERD disabilities were denied as the medical evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and degenerative arthritis, was rated at 50 percent effective from August 13, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's service connection for a bilateral foot disability, other than flatfoot, is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service.,Service connection for right foot hammertoe, bilateral hallux valgus, and right foot degenerative arthritis is also denied due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar DJD was denied. The issue of service connection for a skin disorder other than jungle rot is being remanded.,The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the skin disorder claim.