Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation due to issues related to gastroesophageal reflux disease and increased rating for right knee hypertrophic osteoarthritis. Service connection for GERD is also requested.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error due to untranslated records, and the claims for service connection are remanded for readjudication based on the complete record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's skin rash is granted service connection as a MUCMI due to his Persian Gulf War service. The claims for osteoarthritis and undiagnosed illness or MUCMI (fibromyalgia/CFS) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with L5/S1 spondylolisthesis was denied, and his claim for a 20 percent rating for right lumbar radiculopathy of sciatic nerve prior to September 23, 2019 was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to worsening of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and a request for a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's right shoulder, left hip, and right hip disorders are not service-connected as they were not shown to be present during active duty or within the applicable presumptive period.,A skin disorder of the feet is also not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to in-service events.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and requests for an additional examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his in-service injury. The other conditions (bilateral pes cavus and right foot osteoarthritis) are not addressed as they were not part of the original claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for a VA examination to determine if any identified knee disabilities had their onset during active service or are related to any incident of service, including the documented October 1966 automobile accident.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Claims for increased ratings for left hip strain with limitation of flexion, left hip strain with impairment of the thigh, and left hip strain with limitation of extension were also denied due to lack of evidence showing more severe functional limitations than currently assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, and additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands for further development, including an addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of any bilateral hand disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since February 1, 2018.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, to include lumbar strain. The appeal for an initial compensable disability rating prior to May 19, 2022, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran's back condition is granted as service connected. The left leg condition and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active service and there is no causal relationship between the present disability and an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether any pre-existing lower back condition existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by service. The Veteran's lay statements alone are not sufficient to support a finding of clear and unmistakable existence prior to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of favorable ankylosis or forward flexion less than 15 degrees, and thus, no increased rating was granted. Service connection for sleep disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders (including major depressive disorder) are remanded due to lack of current diagnoses. Service connection for low back pain is also remanded. The Veteran's alcohol use disorder claim is remanded as well.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of bilateral chondromalacia patella and bilateral degenerative arthritis and lateral collateral ligament sprain of the ankles, finding that these conditions are related to service.