Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right foot and ankle disabilities have been granted a 30 percent disability rating from March 11, 2015, to January 30, 2019, and from May 1, 2019. The higher ratings for these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination findings regarding right knee instability. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is now pending.

The Board dismissed the appeals for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for esophagitis with Barrett's esophagus and hiatal hernia, service connection for diverticulitis, generalized arthritis, bilateral upper extremities CTS, and service connection for left Achilles tendon condition. Service connection was granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with dextroscoliosis and residuals of a left Achilles tendon rupture.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis with instability during the period prior to February 24, 2009 is granted. For the period after February 24, 2009, a higher rating of more than 20 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with facet arthropathy and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis and Baker's cyst is currently rated at 10 percent. A separate rating of 20 percent for instability from May 9, 2014 to January 31, 2017 was granted, while a rating of 30 percent on and after February 1, 2017 was also granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a medial meniscal tear, was granted ratings for limitation of flexion, extension, and instability from March 26, 2012, to March 23, 2016. A TDIU rating was also granted during this period.

The Board has granted service connection for congenital scoliosis with kyphosis thoracic, finding that the Veteran's condition is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability during service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip and left knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee, right hip, and lumbar spine conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection and increased rating claims for various hand, knee, ankle, and tinnitus conditions is being remanded due to procedural issues under the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and a noncompensable evaluation for right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for left ear hearing loss.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied, as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no medical evidence to support the contention that his lumbar spine disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to December 23, 2019 remains denied. Service connection for a cervical spine disability, related to a service-connected lumbar spine disability, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA addendum opinion regarding whether service-connected right leg/knee and/or lumbar spine disabilities caused or aggravated any left foot disability. The Veteran's specific symptoms and individual medical history must be considered.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including osteoarthritis with meniscal tears, are rated at 20 percent each. Separate ratings of 20 percent for instability in both knees have been granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding his left knee, eye disorder, and respiratory disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and a need for a new VA examination. The issues of an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, IVDS and right hip pain, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded.