Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and instability, is not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for ocular migraines and osteoarthritis, lumbar spine. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral ankle and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including range of motion assessments and a comprehensive assessment of functional limitations.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis have been rated at 10 percent each since April 10, 2014. The Board denied increased ratings for both knees as the evidence did not show any additional functional loss or instability beyond what is already reflected in the current rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's arthritis. The Veteran is asked to provide an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Veteran's right knee instability has been rated at 10 percent prior to August 23, 2016 and at 20 percent from August 23, 2016 to January 21, 2021. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,For the period from January 22, 2021, the Veteran's right knee instability warrants a disability rating of 30 percent under the current criteria.,The Veteran's posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee remains rated at null.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (as secondary to service-connected TBI), and cervical spondylosis (also as secondary to service-connected TBI).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and upper extremity disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to incomplete development of records related to his convalescence period following a cervical fusion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, effective October 23, 2013. Separate ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and sensory impairment are also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current conditions. The Board also found that the condition did not manifest within one year after service and is not otherwise etiologically related to any in-service event.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to their collective impact, as he can still perform the physical and mental acts required by most jobs.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran has a diagnosis of degenerative arthritis and DDD other than IVDS of the cervical spine, which he experienced symptoms since service. The issue was granted as direct service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted service connection. The left ankle osteoarthritis with anterior and lateral instability is granted a 20% rating effective December 12, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to service-connected left lateral elbow epicondylitis. The right upper extremity and cervical spine issues remain remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded due to incomplete records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disabilities, diagnosed as posttraumatic chronic lumbosacral sprain and strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and herniated nucleus pulposus. The issues of increased ratings for left knee disability prior to September 8, 2014, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, and chondromalacia of the right knee are remanded. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent from October 31, 2018 to June 13, 2021. The initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis and stenosis of the spine has been denied. An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of flexion and tendinopathy (instability) has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral feet was denied as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or occasional incapacitating exacerbations, and the highest possible rating under the old criteria (10%) has been assigned.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation than 10 percent, as the flexion limitation is at most to 120 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.

Service connection has been granted for a cervical spine disability and headaches. Other service connection claims are being remanded.