Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is granted a 10 percent rating effective January 14, 2014. A higher rating for the period prior to August 26, 2015, and from May 1, 2011, is denied.,Separate ratings are needed for superficial peroneal and deep peroneal nerve impairments. The Veteran's superficial peroneal and deep peroneal nerve impairments need further evaluation to determine if they overlap with his sciatic nerve impairments.,The Veteran's IVDS of the right sciatic nerve is denied a rating in excess of 20 percent from May 1, 2011. The Veteran's IVDS of the left sciatic nerve is also denied a rating in excess of 20 percent from May 1, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective October 28, 2019. The appeal was granted for the entire period prior to this date.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to continuous symptoms since separation. The appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, neck pain, right pectoralis muscle strain, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right shoulder injury, finding that there is evidence of current disability and in-service incurrence or aggravation. The Veteran's testimony regarding continuity of symptoms from his in-service injury to the present was found credible.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as a cervical spine disability. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The issues of service connection for cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine disorders including ankylosing spondylitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. Service connection for PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the TDIU claim prior to March 29, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active-duty service.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings and TDIU are inextricably intertwined due to potential impact on retroactive schedular eligibility. These matters are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20 percent, effective September 15, 2014.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective February 3, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

Service connection is granted for fibromyalgia, right and left hand disabilities, and right and left little, long, index, ring fingers, and thumbs. Service connection is denied for painful joints, degenerative arthritis, respiratory disorder (other than service-connected allergic rhinitis), muscle pain, gynecological disability (other than service-connected scars status post laparoscopy for ovarian cyst), left toe fracture, left foot and toe condition, right foot and toe condition, dizziness, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of medical evidence, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for unsteady gait, headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to potential negligence or lack of proper skill in the placement and tightening of a screw during surgery.

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

The Board has denied service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis, gout, or other injury to the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the spine, gout, or other injury of the back due to a lack of credible evidence supporting in-service events or injuries.