Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left hip, right knee, and left knee disorders were not incurred or aggravated during service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The Board has granted the reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, right shoulder, and cervical spine disorder. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and herniated disc are due to an in-service motor vehicle accident. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability (to include as secondary to right knee), and low back condition (to include as secondary to right knee) due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and her military service.

For the period prior to September 22, 2020, service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. For the period from November 18, 2020, a 30 percent rating for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine were granted.,For the period prior to September 22, 2020, entitlement to TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back, knees, and neck conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU from November 5, 2015.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are rated under Diagnostic Code 5019 due to limitation of motion.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for scars associated with left knee disability has been denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for left knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior VA examination report.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for limitation of flexion, left knee (degenerative arthritis, left knee) and entitlement to service connection for a right leg condition (right knee surgery).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disability, including osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and chondromalacia patella, finding that his current right knee disabilities are not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee condition existed prior to service and was aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination. An effective date prior to July 13, 2015 for the grant of service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess his current symptoms and conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's left shoulder condition, including rotator cuff strain and osteoarthritis, was caused by his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder tendonitis and a torn rotator cuff, but denied service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis, limitation of flexion is denied as the evidence does not demonstrate limitation of motion meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of consideration of continuity of symptoms during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.