Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, right heel pain, left heel pain, right hip strain, and left hip osteoarthritis.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and secondary service connection for diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The conditions are found to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and right wrist degenerative arthritis have been rated, but the Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted for these conditions. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for mild ulnar neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings have been dismissed as he did not properly identify the specific issues he wanted to appeal.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for increased ratings of low back strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, as well as initial ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability was denied. He is currently rated at 20 percent for recurrent dislocation and limited motion of the left shoulder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his spine disability is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for left knee instability, arthritis and residuals, and right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis are reopened, but the left knee disorder is denied. The claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The cervical spine claim is remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are linked to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this.

The Veteran's spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent, but a recent VA examination showed an increase in severity. The RO granted a 40 percent rating effective January 2, 2020, for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. However, the Veteran is still seeking a higher rating for the period from September 20, 2007 to January 2, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee osteoarthritis and traumatic arthritis, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent lay statements regarding in-service injuries and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date were denied. The Board found that there was no medical evidence to support a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to August 9, 2018 for bilateral flat feet and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. For lumbar degenerative arthritis, IVDS and spinal stenosis, the effective date is set at August 9, 2018.