Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated at the highest schedular evaluation available, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted as it is proximately due to service-connected disabilities (bilateral pes planus and left knee strain).,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted as it is proximately due to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.,Service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy is granted as it is proximately due to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has found that the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) did not substantially comply with prior remand directives and has ordered further development for obtaining deck logs from the USS Samuel Gompers during the summer of 1973.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right shoulder disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking his current conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and hearing loss has been remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The Veteran is currently denied an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss, with a noncompensable evaluation assigned.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. A separate rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted. The TDIU claim has been added to this appeal and requires additional development.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 15, 2012, and at 20 percent thereafter. From November 20, 2015, the Veteran received a separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of extension in his right knee. The left knee disability remained at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records, a newly raised theory of claim regarding open burning of documents, and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prior to June 6, 2019 do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from an orthopedist to address whether the Veteran's lumbar spine condition is related to service or his service-connected right hip DJD.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected lumbar disc disease, L5 (back disability) has been denied. The current examination findings warrant a 40 percent disability rating and no higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and TDIU due to inadequate VA examination in 2020, lack of relevant medical records, and need for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the relationship between current left foot disabilities and service, including a shrapnel wound.

The Veteran's hypertension and generalized anxiety disorder are granted service connection based on presumed exposure to Agent Orange. His right hip joint replacement is granted a rating of 70 percent, which is the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and a TDIU prior to November 27, 2019 due to insufficient evidence regarding whether he has unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee degenerative joint disease is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened, and service connection for PTSD is granted. An initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to February 27, 2020 is also granted. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction secondary to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic left knee condition during service or within one year post-service. The Board also found that the current left knee osteoarthritis is not related to service or a service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his right knee osteoarthritis and right ear hearing loss have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically left knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis and right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis, have been granted a disability rating of 20 percent for each knee. Additionally, separate ratings of 20 percent have been assigned for left knee lateral instability and right knee lateral instability.