Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis, lumbar degenerative arthritis, and unspecified depressive disorder. The lumbar disability is also secondary to the right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and temporary total rating based on convalescence following right knee arthroscopy due to incomplete medical opinions and procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate prior VA examinations and failure to provide adequate reasons or bases in the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis (as secondary to his service-connected myospasm of lumbar spine disability), an increased rating evaluation for right foot arthritis, and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The remand requests additional medical opinions on these issues.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his sleep apnea. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent prior to August 1, 2019 for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with lumbar spine strain was denied.,The reduction from 60 percent to 40 percent effective August 1, 2019 was upheld.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent from August 1, 2019 for the same condition was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation by reason of being housebound or needing regular aid and attendance were also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder and left hand degenerative arthritis are granted service connection, as is the separate disability rating for semilunar cartilage dislocation of the left knee. The increased disability rating for left knee limitation of motion during flexion remains denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with L5/S1 spondylolisthesis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds this rating to be appropriate based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his right shoulder conditions and potential clavicle or scapula issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted starting from December 4, 2019, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee and service connection for hallux valgus, right great toe is being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and a change in VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected knee conditions render him unemployable, and thus grants an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating between January 1, 2009 through March 7, 2018. The preponderance of the evidence is against his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and denied service connection for bilateral ankle disability.

Your appeals for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the right knee and right knee instability have been dismissed as you withdrew your claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injuries and continuity of symptoms since then.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right ankle, left ankle, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of TDIU and nonservice-connected pension benefits due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran.