Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of increased ratings and TDIU, as indicated in the April 2022 supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran's right hip, knee, foot, and left foot disabilities are being remanded to issue rating decisions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, IVDS, and lumbar spondylosis status post surgery is rated at 10 percent prior to April 26, 2019. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The right knee was rated at 10% prior to December 12, 2019, and at 20% from that date onwards. For the lumbar spine, a 40% rating was granted effective January 15, 2014, with TDIU also being granted.

The Board has dismissed the claims due to the death of the appellant, as veterans' claims do not survive their deaths.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is being remanded due to a lack of AOJ review.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, including as a result of undiagnosed illness; service connection for a disability manifested by joint pain, claimed as polyarthritis, including as the result of undiagnosed illness; and service connection for a low back disorder due to unresolved issues related to medical opinions and whether these conditions qualify as MUCMI.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information and the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to service.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and has remanded the issue of entitlement to compensation for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her left knee disabilities was denied. The rating of over 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis prior to January 8, 2020 is denied. A rating of 30 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis manifesting in favorable ankylosis as of January 8, 2020 is granted. A rating of 10 percent for left knee instability as of January 10, 2019 is granted. The claim for a higher rating for left knee instability as of January 8, 2020 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's flexion limitation did not meet the criteria for higher ratings prior to October 21, 2020 and from October 21, 2020 onward.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Board finds that the left knee disability has been productive of painful flexion, but noncompensable limitation of motion. A separate initial 10 percent rating is granted for painful extension from May 4, 2014. For instability, a 20 percent rating is granted from November 16, 2015 to August 29, 2022.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for his service-connected back disability is denied. The case has been remanded to obtain further information regarding the Veteran's employment status and circumstances prior to August 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's spinal disabilities, including degenerative arthritis, IVDS, and spinal stenosis. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis, finding that the condition originated during active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims and the impact of obesity on his knee conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and SMC due to housebound status, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and missed VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling further medical evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder and physical conditions like right shoulder osteoarthritis, prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU rating based on the combined effects of these conditions.