Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's neck disability, including fracture C5 compression with degenerative arthritis and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence does not support limitation of motion or IVDS that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for depressive disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, or knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his left shoulder disability was denied as the current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 17, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service injuries. The claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence establishing continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment after April 2014 was not substantially gainful and he did not have physical or mental limitations preventing him from obtaining or engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to April 2014.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has therefore ordered the VA to make additional efforts to obtain the Veteran's missing separation examination. The issues of service connection for a pelvic disorder, hypertension, pes planus, and invertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are all remanded due to the need for further development regarding range of motion estimates. The issue of TDIU prior to September 12, 2019 is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, determining the nature and etiology of any bilateral hearing loss, identifying any current left shoulder disability, providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the breast condition, and assessing the severity of service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's left foot disorder is not secondary to his service-connected left ankle disorder, and there is no other evidence linking the condition to his active duty.,There is insufficient medical evidence to determine whether the Veteran's current left ankle disorder was aggravated by post-service occupational duties or an intercurrent event.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinion and lack of consideration of certain factors.

The Board denied a higher rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis and lumbar strain from June 17, 2020. The Veteran's disability was rated at least 10 percent disabling prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent from August 3, 2021. Prior to that date, the Veteran was not granted a TDIU due to his service-connected conditions. From August 3, 2021 onwards, he has been granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral elbow, knee, hip, and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate development. The Veteran's low back condition is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has also been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine has been reopened and remanded. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and right wrist are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted effective May 22, 2013. The maximum schedular rating of 50% was assigned for bilateral pes planus with left foot osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his low back disability, have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations for each condition. The effective date of these ratings is not specified in the decision.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back disability and granted it as secondary to service-connected right hip replacement. Service connection was also granted for right knee joint osteoarthritis and left knee joint osteoarthritis, both secondary to service-connected right hip replacement.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip disability, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability and sarcoidosis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his diabetes mellitus and service connection for various disabilities.