Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis, is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to February 11, 2014. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU on a schedular and extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and dismissed the appeal for an increased disability rating for chronic gastroenteritis, gastritis, and ulcers from December 19, 2014 due to a full grant of benefits in November 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee and left knee osteoarthritis as there was no in-service injury or disease, and the symptoms did not manifest during service. The Veteran's current knee conditions are found to have onset after service.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective May 2, 2016. The Veteran's back disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting VA examination findings and insufficient information for ratings purposes. The Veteran's right knee conditions need further clarification.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion, but granted separate 10 percent ratings for mild instability from December 27, 2016 to January 30, 2019 and for moderate instability starting from January 30, 2019.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture with degenerative arthritis is rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limited motion of the ankle. The evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.,The Veteran's right hip arthritis, limitation of flexion is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left hip arthritis, painful adduction with limited rotation and abduction is also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle disability was denied as he failed to report for necessary VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected scar, post pilonidal cystectomy and right knee osteoarthritis are being remanded for new VA examinations to determine the current severity of her conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew his request for a higher evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar strain with L5-S1 posterior disc herniation and bilateral L5-S1 apophyseal joint facet osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information provided by a VA examination regarding whether the Veteran's back disability is related to his service-connected bilateral knee degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to service or his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran will need a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since December 21, 2020. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date and after are denied.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be scheduled for new VA examinations to assess his service-connected back pain, flat feet, and right knee osteoarthritis due to worsening symptoms reported at his hearing.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding his right wrist injuries and symptoms. The case is now back for further review with a new medical opinion.

An initial 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, for fecal incontinence is granted.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has determined that the current evidence is insufficient to decide the claim for service connection for a right knee disability, secondary to his service-connected back disability. The case is being remanded for further clarification and examination.

The Board has denied an increased rating for residuals of a fractured left ulna with degenerative arthritis and has remanded the issue of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, which is secondary to a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's right thigh osteoarthritis and trochanteric pain syndrome are not rated higher than 10 percent for limitation of extension, flexion, or impairment. The appeal is denied.