Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum VA opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tears, shoulder arthrofibrosis, and arthritis. The examiner is asked to consider the physical requirements of the Veteran’s MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) in which he worked, such as hunched over, in confined spaces, while exposed to extremely wet and cold conditions, and with his arms extended.

The Veteran's left knee rheumatoid arthritis with degenerative arthritis and osteopenia status post arthroscopic surgery was found to not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, including glenohumbral joint osteoarthritis. The decision finds that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury during his period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for fibromyalgia due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran contends her symptoms began shortly after arriving at Midway Island, but a November 2020 examiner found no current diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability. The Veteran reported two in-service motor vehicle accidents, but records from these incidents are unavailable. A supplemental VA examination is needed to determine if the current right shoulder condition is related to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, previously diagnosed as left shoulder impingement syndrome status post left clavicle fracture and now characterized as degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease, has not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's low back disability prior to October 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the need for a new VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities. The issues on appeal include evaluations for various knee conditions and scars.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent prior to November 30, 2020 and greater than 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's left knee disability status post total knee replacement is rated at a maximum of 60 percent, and his right knee with limitation of flexion is rated at 10 percent. A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory system condition, back condition and bilateral ankle condition have been denied.,Specifically, the Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s current conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right wrist disability, a right hand knuckle injury, and a right knee disability. The TDIU claim will be addressed after these other issues are resolved.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disorder is remanded, and the TDIU issue remains pending as it is intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left foot strain is related to service and has granted service connection for this condition. The initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and left thumb DJD are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee degenerative arthritis due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of his disabilities, particularly after a recent VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's treatment at a non-VA facility on September 7, 2017 was for an emergent condition and that seeking treatment at a VA or federal facility was not feasibly available. Therefore, the claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the failure to provide adequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent since March 18, 2020. He is also granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for limitation of extension of the left knee.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (lumbar spine disability) has been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded the issue of an increased rating prior to November 7, 2011 due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities, diagnosed as osteoarthritis with Achilles tendonitis, were rated at 10% prior to April 2, 2019. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.