Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 60% rating from March 23, 2017 onwards. He also received separate ratings for limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee disabilities, including reductions in ratings and entitlement to separate ratings for meniscal disorders. The case is also remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee conditions and determine if his symptoms were present prior to the November 2017 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his in-service repetitive jumping duties.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis and radiculopathy of the lower extremities has been denied. The Veteran is currently assigned a 40 percent rating for his degenerative arthritis, which is the highest available under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's back disability and sleep impairment are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent findings indicating worsening of the conditions. A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his back condition, while another examination is required to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his sleep disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for multi-level cervical spine degenerative arthritis, cervical stenosis status-post anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C5, C6, C6-7, and myelomalacia, as well as right and left upper extremity radiculopathies secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and osteoarthritis, is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for head injury residuals, to include vertigo and headaches, as well as neck disability due to lack of compliance with obtaining outstanding medical treatment records.,Service connection cannot be granted for bilateral knee disability, tinnitus, or bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis in the record.

The Board has denied service connection for left hand, elbow, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome with osteoarthritis, and wrist scapholunate injury. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active service.,The Board also denied service connection for right elbow and right hand osteoarthritis.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation for regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, bowel incontinence, degenerative arthritis of the spine with degenerative disc disease thoracic spine and lumbar disc disease status post fusion, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), status post total right knee replacement, chondromalacia patella left knee with arthrotomy and osteoarthritis (limitation of extension), chondromalacia patella left knee with arthrotomy and osteoarthritis (instability), right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), right knee scars, left knee scar, female sexual arousal disorder, surgical scar of the neck area, surgical scar of the anterior trunk, and surgical scars of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is at least as likely as not related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted. The effective date is not specified as it is a grant of benefits.

The Veteran's back disability, including associated sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies, is rated at 40 percent since December 14, 2021. The rating for the back disability remains granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the remaining issues related to polyarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle strain with osteoarthritis and remanded the other issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain updated medical opinions and examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as for the claims of hypertension, gastroduodenitis, diverticulitis, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back and a left knee disorder, as they are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of evidence not yet considered by the AOJ.