Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board has remanded the issues for further development, including determining if service connection can be granted for left hip arthritis as secondary to his knees.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylosis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to September 23, 2014, for left knee arthritis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent beginning November 1, 2015, for left knee arthritis status post total knee replacement was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 7, 2018, was not demonstrated and thus the claim must be denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability, effective from July 22, 2013. The decision also found that throughout the appeal period, the Veteran's left ankle disability more nearly approximated marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating, and his preponderance of evidence is against a finding that they were of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent from June 12, 2014. The Veteran's left knee strain and limitation of extension are denied increased ratings. The Veteran's left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis is granted a disability rating of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee and foot disabilities. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed knee and hip disabilities as there is no evidence that they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and incomplete development. The issues include right ankle, left knee, skin condition (Agent Orange exposure), and headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right knee, and left knee disorders. The case is being remanded to obtain a new medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for his claimed hip, knee, or shoulder conditions as they are considered direct rather than secondary, presumptive, or aggravation claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 6, 2019, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for low back disability, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to April 16, 2019. The remand is due to the need for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The issues of secondary service connection for hypertension and chronic kidney disease to coronary artery disease are remanded.,Service connection is also granted for TDIU due to all service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at a 10 percent rating for instability, and the Board has remanded the TDIU claim. The appeal is not about service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee replacement, cervical spine disorder (including cervical strain, cervical degenerative spondylosis, and degenerative disc disease with stenosis and myelopathy), right shoulder calcific bursitis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right cervical radiculopathy, left cervical radiculopathy, right wrist strain, left wrist strain, right hand strain, and left hand strain are all granted. The Veteran's foot disorder other than bilateral pes planus and back disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, chronic lumbar strain, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically during flare-ups and after repetition over time.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hepatitis residuals and right knee degenerative arthritis are both granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least as likely as not that these conditions were incurred during military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the combined disability evaluation exceeds the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee meniscectomy and degenerative arthritis should be remanded for further examination to assess their current severity. The restoration of a separate 10 percent rating for right knee meniscectomy under Diagnostic Code 5257 is granted, while the issue regarding a higher disability rating for right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis remains pending and will be addressed in the remand section. A 10 percent rating for painful right knee scars is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, variously diagnosed as chondromalacia, internal derangement, sprained lateral collateral ligament, posttraumatic arthritis, and degenerative arthritis, based on continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, even with consideration of painful motion, was not manifested by forward flexion limited to greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees. The RO denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 3, 2020 and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for lumbar spine disability.