Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been rated at 20 percent since June 1, 2016. The Board denied all other periods of increased ratings for the left wrist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the spine, is not related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis is granted as service connected because it was caused or worsened by his already service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and left ankle conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30 percent rating for right knee joint osteoarthritis due to inadequate VA examinations used in reducing the rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent from March 18, 2010 to March 23, 2016 due to painful and noncompensable limitation of motion related to mild osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow osteoarthritis does not result in loss of use of the left hand or arm, and therefore he is ineligible for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent disabling, and his left and right knee osteoarthritis are both granted service connection. The increased rating for PTSD claim was denied.

The Board dismissed the issue of reducing the rating for spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine from 40 percent to 20 percent because it was only a proposal and not a decision on the merits.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left wrist fracture with status post-operative residuals and degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating allowed. The Veteran's left wrist paresis associated with his left wrist fracture is also rated at 20 percent. However, the Veteran's left shoulder labral tear including superior labral anterior-posterior lesion and arthritis is not entitled to a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but his unemployability is due to his service-connected conditions. The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee disabilities due to inconsistencies in the November 2017 VA examination and lack of reasoning regarding the Veteran's reports of flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current right knee problems are not related to his in-service parachute jumps and do not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to his service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis. The Board also remanded cases regarding initial disability ratings for lumbar spine spondylosis and left knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete examination reports and requests for addendum opinions. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated to determine their impact on his ability to perform daily activities.

The Board denied service connection for pain of the left great toe, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and a chronic low back condition including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,There is no current diagnosis of CFS or any other specific condition related to the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a combined effects opinion on his service-connected disabilities.