Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia and avascular necrosis, is rated at 30 percent effective April 3, 2019. The Board found the May 2019 VA examination to be more probative due to its consideration of lay statements regarding pain and flares.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and ankle disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection is granted for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for unspecified depressive disorder, right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right knee osteoarthritis status post total replacement, left knee osteoarthritis status post meniscal tear repair, right hip degenerative arthritis, left hip degenerative arthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, right wrist degenerative arthritis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, right shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tear status post total replacement, left shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, right lateral epicondylitis, left lateral epicondylitis, neck pain, lumbar spine DJD, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy.,Service connection is denied for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and hypertensive heart disease.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent prior to April 20, 2022 and at 30 percent since then. The current rating of 30 percent is denied as the evidence does not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side.,TDIU was also denied.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for a bilateral knee disability was improper and has restored the original rating.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection and rating for the Veteran's heart palpitations, left knee condition, osteoarthritis of the right first MTP joint, and osteoarthritis of the left first MTP joint due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and instability, is rated at 50 percent since January 22, 2023. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding service connection and rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain and cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee bursitis status post mycobacterium infection. The other issues of service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee disability was granted. Service connection for left knee osteoarthritis secondary to left knee baker's cyst is also granted. However, the Veteran's request for an increased rating for his left knee baker's cyst remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were granted. The remaining issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities, as well as bilateral hip replacement. The Veteran's right upper extremity and lower extremity radiculopathies are also found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and chondromalacia, is related to in-service injuries. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder conditions, as well as his DDD of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, are all granted service connection based on their relationship to his service-connected right paravertebral muscles myositis, trapezius and rhomboid.

The claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis have been dismissed.,A new claim for service connection for a heart condition, including coronary artery disease with triple bypass and stents, has been granted. The appeal is granted to this extent only.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to the nature of these claims as freestanding and not related to the initial grant of service connection.

The Veteran's arthritis of the bilateral feet, low back pain, right knee pain, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, and bilateral hearing loss were all granted service connection as they are considered direct service-connected disabilities.,Service connection was established for these conditions based on their onset during periods of active duty.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected back and knee disabilities was denied. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and compression fractures of T8-T10, status post lumbar fusion is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. Ratings for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities are granted at 40 percent. Ratings for left knee strain with limitation of flexion and right knee status-post operative torn meniscus (limitation of extension) are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's painful scars of the right knee and posterior trunk are rated at 10 percent.