Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition other than sarcoidosis and sleep apnea, as well as his right wrist disorder and bilateral ankle conditions. The evidence did not support separate diagnoses or a causal link to service.,The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence was against finding that the Veteran had a separately diagnosable respiratory condition other than his service-connected sarcoidosis and sleep apnea, and denied his claims for right wrist disorder and bilateral ankle conditions.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis from January 31, 2014, to January 22, 2018.,Prior to January 31, 2014, the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine, finding that his disability did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding higher initial disability ratings for lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and instability of the left knee disabilities. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current respiratory disability and denied service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for left knee and bilateral ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve. However, several issues remain unresolved and need to be remanded.,Service connection is being remanded for instability and swelling of the left ankle, instability and swelling of the right ankle, and bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent prior to February 10, 2010 and remanded for further evaluation.,For the period beginning February 10, 2010, the Veteran's left shoulder disability remains rated at 30 percent and also remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, left middle finger sprain, and low back disability manifested by pain. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding his in-service injuries and subsequent symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a right shoulder disability, including tendinitis and degenerative arthritis. The Board dismissed the appeal due to this withdrawal.

The Veteran is granted higher ratings for his right knee disability, including a separate rating of 10 percent for symptomatic meniscal disability and a 30 percent rating for limitation of right knee flexion. The Veteran also receives a higher rating of 20 percent for right knee instability from December 1, 2011 to September 1, 2014, and a 30 percent rating since June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, are considered to be at least in equipoise with his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 11, 2016. Therefore, entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Veteran's multiple nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating, as none of them individually or in combination are rated at least 40% disabling. The Board finds that he is not unemployable due to his conditions prior to June 15, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, left knee, and right hip disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to discuss functional loss. The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a greater evaluation.,Service connection was granted for left hip osteoarthritis. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran’s left hip disability had its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection based on in-service injuries during parachute jumps.

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

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 10 percent prior to February 24, 2020, and 20 percent thereafter for cervical spondylosis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 10 percent prior to April 24, 2018, and 20 percent thereafter for right acromioclavicular joint separation status-post surgical repair with osteoarthritis is denied.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis with vertebral fracture, thoracolumbar spine due to limited range of motion and functional loss. The current rating is appropriate given the Veteran's symptoms and examination findings.

The Board denied service connection for left hip and right hip degenerative arthritis, finding that the conditions did not manifest during or within one year of service discharge, and were not related to service-connected lumbar spine disability.