Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for an increased rating for costochondritis and service connection for sleep disorder and shoulder impingement syndrome. The Veteran will be provided with a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective June 10, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for vasomotor rhinitis with epistaxis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left ankle osteoarthritis, and right ankle strain have been granted. The Board found that these conditions are related to service due to exposure in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for right knee degenerative arthritis, limitation of flexion, since January 5, 2021, is granted with a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities due to deficiencies in prior examinations and lack of retroactive opinions. The case is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The Board has determined that a new VA examination and medical opinion are necessary to adjudicate the issue.

The Board has ordered a remand for the VA examiner to provide an opinion on the severity of the Veteran's right wrist degenerative arthritis prior to December 20, 2019. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, lower back disability, and right knee disability (degenerative arthritis) as these conditions are found to be at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Veteran's left arm radiculopathy is found to be secondary to her service-connected cervical spine disorder.,Other claims are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left knee chondromalacia patella, but remanded the claims for bilateral knee arthritis, cervical spine condition, increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for hypertension, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several service connection claims, including deviated septum, ankle strains, plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and shin splints. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the examination and opinion related to the left hip, as well as for additional development of medical records.

The Board has found that the Veteran submitted a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) with the June 2018 rating decision, but an SOC has not yet been issued. The case is being remanded to issue an SOC and allow the Veteran to perfect his appeal by submitting a VA Form 9.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's low back condition, which is related to service. The claim will be reviewed with a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected low back disability, finding that all criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 18, 2014 to October 31, 2016. Effective from this date, the Veteran was awarded a TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis. The case is remanded to assign disability ratings and determine if a TDIU before May 1, 2018, is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and insufficient reasoning in the prior VA opinion regarding service connection for a right knee disability, including as secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a left hip disability has been granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulders arthritis, bilateral feet gout, and bilateral lower extremities disabilities (hips, knees).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to scheduling issues with VA examinations.