Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for right knee arthritis, back condition, and bilateral foot neuropathy as secondary to mild osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have been denied. The Board found that there is no direct link between the current conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and IVDS remains denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted an increased rating of 40 percent for the period from January 28, 2013 to November 13, 2014. The decision also noted that his depressive disorder was granted a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities and inguinal hernias, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent prior to October 6, 2020 and greater than 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's right hip strain is currently rated at 10 percent prior to April 6, 2015 and greater than 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis with invertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine with spondyloarthropathy is currently rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's cervical spine strain is currently rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and TDIU are both remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and his cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent. The Board denied increased ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder and physical conditions like sleep apnea, headaches, joint pain, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 28, 2014 to June 6, 2016.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions, including osteoarthritis of both knees and several other health issues. The decision was made due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and cervical strain (neck condition) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and information regarding flare-ups.,The Veteran's appeal for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment is also being remanded, as it requires further medical evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in the previous opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow disability. The claim will be reviewed again with a new addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for compression fracture of L1, cervical segmental dysfunction, neck pain, and myofascitis and arthritis, bilateral pes planus, and left shoulder osteoarthritis have been reopened. The Board found that new evidence supports reopening these claims but denied the underlying service connection due to lack of a nexus between the conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a direct or secondary relationship to service. The Veteran's current right shoulder condition is attributed to osteoarthritis, which developed post-service and was not related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his eye disorder and left forearm disorder. The Board requires further development to address these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee and left knee conditions have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee receiving a 20% evaluation from January 31, 2011 until December 3, 2013. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues include clarifying the diagnosis of the Veteran's back disability, addressing in-service injury claims, post-Iraq deployment health assessment, and service connection on a secondary basis due to right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical neck strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and intervertebral disc syndrome. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with this condition are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left hand disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was not found to be related to his military service due to lack of in-service complaints or treatment.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability was also denied as there is no evidence of chronicity within one year post-service.