Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine with coccyx strain have been denied as there is no evidence showing lost range of motion or ankylosis that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral knee disorder, as they are related to his service-connected back condition. Additional development is needed to obtain private treatment records from a hospital where the Veteran had a reported knee surgery in 2000 or 2001.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis are caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral plantar fascitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that there is at least a 50% likelihood that his current condition is related to his active service and that he experienced continuous symptoms since then.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee and left ankle disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right knee disability, as it only warranted a 10 percent rating prior to September 27, 2019, and a 60 percent rating thereafter. For his left ankle disability, he was granted a 100 percent rating from August 17, 2018, but the Board found that the evidence did not support an even higher 30 percent rating due to marked limitation of motion of the ankle.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain with degenerative arthritis is granted a 20 percent rating from October 29, 2014 to July 21, 2020. A higher rating is denied for the period after July 21, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in December 2021 is inadequate for adjudication and non-probative. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is separately compensated for two aspects: limitation of motion and dislocation. Another remand is required to obtain a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle sprain with instability and degenerative arthritis, left ankle sprain with instability, and right knee internal derangement status post posterior collateral ligament tear have been denied. The VA has determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the spine and service connection for a disability of the fourth finger of the left hand due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and meniscal repair residuals. The Board found no evidence of a pre-existing condition in service or within one year post-service that led to current disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated neurological impairments, as well as the etiology of his lower extremity radicular symptoms, urinary urgency, and sexual dysfunction. Additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether his service-connected conditions contributed to it. The case needs further development with an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability, right knee meniscotomy and arthrotomy residuals, and right knee surgical scar as additional information is needed to determine if service connection can be established.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve was granted a 20% disability rating from June 28, 2017 to May 17, 2021. A higher rating is denied for the period after May 17, 2021. The Veteran's service connection claims for instability and swelling of the left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral shin splints are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to his current disabilities. The Board also found no continuity of symptoms from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and invertebral disc syndrome, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of unfavorable ankylosis or severe incomplete paralysis, which are necessary for higher ratings.