Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete SPRs and inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence.

The Veteran's left-knee disability, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome, is rated at 30 percent since January 6, 2016. The rating for instability of the left knee is separately rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision. Additionally, he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports from previous VA examinations. The Veteran seeks higher disability ratings for his right shoulder and knee disabilities, but these issues were previously addressed in a January 2021 remand.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to her inservice injury and symptoms have continued since service.

The Veteran's right knee DJD with meniscal involvement is currently rated at 20 percent, which includes a separate 20 percent rating for instability and a 10 percent rating for painful limited motion. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a meniscus tear, is currently rated at 10 percent for painful limitation of flexion. A separate 10 percent rating has been granted for painful limitation of extension since May 10, 2013. The Veteran also receives a 10 percent rating for slight right knee instability since the same date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The examiner was not provided with a full history from the Veteran, which may have affected their conclusion.

The Veteran's right knee pain with meniscus tears, patellar tendonitis and osteoarthritis, status post arthroscopic surgeries with residual pain and reduced ROM, as well as patellofemoral pain syndrome began during active service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including VA treatment records from November 2021. The claims are being remanded for further examination and readjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 21, 2011.

The Board granted a separate rating of 20 percent for right knee instability from December 16, 2019 to March 12, 2020. The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis was rated at 30 percent during this period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine prior to February 19, 2013 and from November 15, 2013 to February 19, 2015 was denied as her disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hip strain, left ankle degenerative arthritis and strain, and right ankle strain have been granted service connection.,Bell's palsy has not met the criteria for an initial rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his lumbosacral spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, as well as his claim for back disability, has been granted. The effective date for the award of service connection is set at October 9, 1975.

The Board denied service connection for gout, degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, and hypertension as they are not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bone pain disability due to bone density loss, including osteoporosis and osteopenia. The examiner is asked to clarify whether certain diagnoses are related to service and provide an opinion on their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining complete VA and non-VA treatment records. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has also been added due to the Veteran's current employment status.