Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher disability rating for low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support assigning an effective date earlier than January 23, 2014 or a higher initial disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient range of motion measurements and functional ankylosis assessment in the previous VA examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains under review.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthrosis have been manifested by flexion of 70 degrees or greater, and extension to 10 degrees or less. The Veteran is currently assigned a 10 percent rating for each of her left and right knees due to osteoarthritis under DC 5261.,The criteria for entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability have not been met. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

Service connection is granted for right and left knee disabilities, as well as back and right ankle disabilities. Service connection for neck disability was dismissed.,The Veteran's right and left knees are found to be related to service due to degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether his right shoulder disability is aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability and whether any of his claimed disabilities are related to obesity or weight gain secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disorder, finding no current disability separate from rheumatoid arthritis. Service connection was granted for left foot degenerative arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings and effective dates due to a need for additional examinations and information.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back degenerative arthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a motor vehicle accident during active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various back, knee, and ankle disabilities was denied. The rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted at a 20% level effective from August 6, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various shoulder and hip conditions due to his death.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The right knee and right ankle conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetic retinopathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left hip condition, and right hip condition due to service-connected frostbite. The issues are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to new evidence and testimony.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10% and restored. The Veteran's osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are currently rated at 10%. These ratings are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for lower back condition and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been withdrawn. The Board has also dismissed the issues of entitlement to TDIU prior to October 26, 2017.

The Veteran's rating for lumbosacral disability was reduced from 40% to 20%, effective January 1, 2019. The appeal is granted in full as the reduction was not proper and the 40% rating is restored.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis and associated peripheral neuropathy warrant a higher disability rating than 20 percent. However, further development is needed to clarify if the 'Popeye deformity' is related to his service-connected shoulder condition or if it is a separate issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient nexus opinions regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right hip DJD.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left leg disability, including his arthritis and its relationship to service.