Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of head injury, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the upper extremities due to procedural errors and insufficient development. The Veteran needs a VA examination by a neurologist or other headache specialist to address his claim of service connection for head injury residuals, including headaches. If deemed relevant, an opinion with respect to the nature and etiology of the cervical spine disability and related radiculopathy should also be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs to undergo more contemporaneous examinations to determine the current severity of his left knee, spine, shoulder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and hypertension disabilities.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of motion at a level warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 28, 2013, and in excess of 60 percent from August 28, 2013 to February 5, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent from February 6, 2016, forward, for service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease. The remand also includes the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 29, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is secondary to his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his lumbar spine disability was denied. The criteria for higher ratings were not met prior to October 12, 2020, and from that date, the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran is granted TDIU prior to December 19, 2016. The appeal for the period from December 19, 2016, to July 1, 2018, is dismissed as moot due to SMC at a rate under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). TDIU on or after July 1, 2018, remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations that comply with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee condition is proximately due or the result of his service-connected left knee condition, and if it was aggravated by that condition.

The Board has remanded the appellant's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, right hip disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service and is more likely due to aging.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left wrist, and right shoulder disabilities due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran asserts that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis based on both limitation of flexion and limitation of extension, and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10%.,Entitlement to increased ratings for fibromyalgia and CFS remains pending, with remand required for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's gout of the right foot is related to service, including his in-service injury at Fort Drum. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the right great toe will also be remanded for a new examination to assess its severity.

The appeal for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is dismissed. The issues of polycythemia, heart disability, back disability (including arthritis due to trauma and degenerative arthritis), and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was part of his initial increased rating claims for lumbar spine osteoarthritis, PTSD, and radiculopathy. The Board found that the TDIU issue was valid and granted it based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and peroneal neuropathy, right lower extremity. The Veteran's spine disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected right foot condition, while his nerve problem is linked to an in-service injury.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of knee conditions due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to active duty service.