Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion is rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that his range of motion did not warrant a higher rating due to limitations in flexion and extension.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded for additional development to determine their current severity and the extent of any functional impairment.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and denied compensable ratings for deviated nasal septum with allergic rhinitis, as well as separate compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis. The case was remanded for further development.

Your service connection claims for right and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted in a previous rating decision, so your appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, but the claims for neck and lumbar spine disabilities as well as dizziness are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and records in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim. The Board also found that the Veteran's current right ankle condition is etiologically linked to his active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder strain, bilateral knee degenerative arthritis (other than post-traumatic), and unspecified depressive disorder as these conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to issues with VA examinations and because of a joint motion for partial remand (JMPR). Specifically, the Board needs to obtain new VA knee examinations that include range of motion measurements in all four modalities.

The Board has denied higher ratings for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and patellofemoral syndrome of both knees. The right shoulder condition is also being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right hand disorder, left hand disorder, and visual disturbance to the left eye. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10% for limited motion, and a separate rating of 10% is granted for instability. The left knee meniscus disability is rated at 20%. The Veteran's left knee lateral instability is rated at 10%.,The Veteran receives a separate 10% rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee, and a separate 10% rating for left knee instability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further review due to missing VA medical records, which may contain relevant evidence for evaluating the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for right upper extremity radiculopathy, neck disability (IVDS and degenerative arthritis), and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The current ratings of 40%, 20%, and 20% are not sufficient to meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 50 percent, and the effective date for his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy ratings has been set at December 1, 2014. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and no higher, for the entire period on appeal. The rating will remain in effect as it meets the criteria for a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis and left acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and cervical intervertebral disc syndrome and cervical degenerative disc disease and myelomalacia due to these conditions being proximately due or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with shortness of breath and residuals of TBI is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum available rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been shown to warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20% prior to September 29, 2022. Since then, the rating has been increased to 40%. The Board denied a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service. The right knee, right ankle, and left hip issues remain under consideration as secondary to the now service-connected left knee disability.