Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mm/Hg or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 mm/Hg or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mm/Hg or more requiring continuous medication for control.,The Veteran's knee disabilities and radiculopathy claims are remanded as the effective date prior to November 28, 2014, is not established in the record.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism claim is remanded as there is no evidence of a compensable rating for PSVT.,The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracic/lumbar spine claims are remanded as there is no evidence of entitlement to an increased rating.

The Veteran's right knee strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's COPD is caused by his service-connected fibrocystic lung disease, and the claim for service connection for COPD as secondary to service-connected fibrocystic lung disease is granted. The initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis remains at 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder AC joint osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis as these conditions are found to be related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its functional limitations during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, as well as instability of both knees, have been denied. The current ratings are deemed appropriate based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for right foot disorders, including hammer toes, hallux valgus, and osteoarthritis, finding that the conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 28, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus his TDIU claim is denied.

The appeal for TDIU is dismissed. The claim of service connection for asthma has been reopened and granted. Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to bilateral flatfoot with degenerative arthritis is granted. The issue of joint pain (undiagnosed illness) needs further evaluation, including consideration of upper extremity disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and generalized arthritis due to potential issues with causation or aggravation by a service-connected condition, as well as incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip femoral neck stress fracture and degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional information from VA examiners.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions provided by the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and its relationship to his service-connected right knee disability. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's neck disorder, to include degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, is currently rated at 30 percent for the period beginning November 14, 2017.,An earlier effective date of July 10, 2008, has been granted for the award of service connection and a 20 percent evaluation for the neck disorder.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including hypertension, right wrist sprain, left wrist sprain, and left knee strain. As a result, there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the back with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) are both currently rated at 20 percent each.

The Veteran's initial rating for left shoulder disability with degenerative arthritis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for MDD with generalized anxiety disorder is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 20% rating for cervical spine injury with traumatic degenerative arthritis from August 23, 2019 is granted. The claims for higher ratings and service connection are all remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. Initial ratings of 10 percent have been assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve). The initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine remains at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability, including lack of medical records from service and a VA opinion on the etiology.