Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

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.

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.