Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Degenerative Arthritis of Lumbar Spine, and a Pelvic Disability. The decision found that the Veteran's current sleep disorder did not have its onset during active duty or was otherwise related to service.,Service connection was also denied for the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability as it did not manifest within one year following service discharge and was not caused by his service-connected Dercum's disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the record, and another medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service.

The Veteran's right-hand osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected, with the condition likely resulting from a pre-existing injury during his military service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's left-hand osteoarthritis is related to his military service. The claim for this disability remains denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot osteoarthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are being remanded because of inadequate VA examinations in prior decisions.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for tendonitis in the right shoulder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and diabetes mellitus need further development due to incomplete records and a lack of an examination for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has decided that the claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding records. The Veteran seeks service connection for a right foot disability other than pes planus, which he claims was caused by an injury during service. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate as it did not address the Veteran's lay reports of pain since service.

The Board has granted the claim, finding that the Veteran's current left knee disability is proximately related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including testing on both active and passive motion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis with painful motion of thumb and 5th metacarpal, right hand is denied.,Service connection for sinusitis has been granted based on presumed exposure to burn pits during service in Southwest Asia.,Claims for service connection for a right leg disability and left leg disability are dismissed as they have been rendered moot by the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis and need for further examination.,Service connection for dermatitis and rosacea is remanded due to need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service, including exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder injury has been reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his current right shoulder diagnoses are related to an in-service injury or his service-connected right elbow disability. The bilateral hip claims are also remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Appellant's claims for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance, as well as survivors' pension due to countable income exceeding maximum annual pension rates. The appeals were remanded multiple times but no additional evidence was provided.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his right and left knee instability. The Veteran was granted separate 20 percent ratings for both knees' instability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, which adequately reflects his symptoms.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and no higher as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension was granted a 40% rating, but the RO reduced it to 10%. The reduction is now being restored.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that his current condition is not related to service. The Board also found that his left knee osteoarthritis did not have its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the knees. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent prior to January 22, 2020, and 30 percent since then. For his knee disabilities, a rating higher than 20 percent based on limitation of flexion has been granted for each knee up to April 30, 2021.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, residuals of an appendix removal, and eye condition (presbyopia). The claim for arthritis/osteoarthritis is remanded.