Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet and granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran does not have current residuals of frostbite on his feet, but has a current back disability that began in-service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted, beginning May 10, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, specifically whether it is related to service or aggravated by peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claim for a secondary service connection opinion regarding whether any of the Veteran's foot disabilities (other than his bilateral foot drop) are at least as likely as not related to, proximately due to, or aggravated beyond their natural progression by his bilateral foot drop.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. The lumbar spine disorder and asthma/rhinitis issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities are granted. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing knee conditions were aggravated by his military service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability and back disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a left lateral depressed tibial plateau fracture and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 30 percent effective October 7, 2020. The rating was increased from 10 percent prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition, including degenerative arthritis and cyst, is not related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, including missing VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits information. The Veteran is also required to undergo examinations to assess his hands, sleep apnea/asthma, and right shoulder.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the bilateral feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lumbosacral disc syndrome are granted as service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hand degenerative arthritis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for this condition, which he attributes to his service-connected knee and back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lower back condition, right foot condition, left shoulder condition, and right arm condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claim for sleep apnea is also remanded as there are no medical opinions addressing its onset or cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2006.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee injury is reopened, but the appeal is remanded to determine if his current left knee disability is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis due to an inadequate June 2019 examination. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from August 13, 2014 through September 25, 2016 rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's ratings for his service-connected knee and polyneuropathy disabilities have been reduced, but the Board finds that these reductions were not proper due to a failure to consider all applicable regulations.,The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for his service-connected knee and polyneuropathy disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right sciatic radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral feet disabilities, including hallux valgus, hammertoes, flat foot (pes planus), and degenerative arthritis. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.