Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, finding that her current left knee disability is not related to her military service and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew all remaining issues before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates as these issues are not properly before the Board due to a lack of disagreement with the effective dates in the August 2020 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The appeal is dismissed for the remaining issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between his current degenerative arthritis and his active military service.

The Veteran's CTS of the left hand and wrist is granted as secondary to his already service-connected right-hand injuries with deformity and arthritis. A higher rating of 10 percent for the residuals of the right-hand injuries with deformity and arthritis is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the current degenerative arthritis of the spine is not related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar strain myositis, central herniated nucleus pulposus at L4/L5 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since July 12, 2016. The rating was granted as the condition met the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5243.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent. The left knee disability, including limitation of flexion prior to June 12, 2018 and limitation of extension from May 16, 2017 through June 11, 2018, is also rated at 10 percent. An effective date of August 1, 2019 for the assignment of a 60 percent rating for residuals of total left knee replacement has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, right shoulder, right hip pain with functional impairment, and right knee meniscal tear, all found to be at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's 1997 car accident injury.

The Veteran's claim for traumatic arthritis of the right knee was reopened, but service connection is denied.,Service connection for a back condition and bilateral hearing loss are both denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current right ear hearing loss, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and right shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, finding that the disabilities are not related to service or manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and disability ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all active appeals.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from August 28, 2015 and November 30, 2020. The decision is based on findings that the Veteran’s symptoms more nearly approximate forward flexion of 30 degrees or less throughout the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being reviewed again for proper consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to inconsistencies in the service-connected conditions and their impact on the Veteran's disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, and right elbow conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.