Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis changes prior to January 15, 2020 is denied. The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica was initially rated at 10 percent and increased to 20 percent effective January 15, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee conditions are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability effective March 24, 2011. The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disability, specifically his in-service pain and physical exertion.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions are granted with separate 10 percent ratings from January 6, 2010. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 3, 2017.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 1, 2014 is granted. The increased rating claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The VA is required to provide a new examination or opinion where there is insufficient evidence of record to decide the claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee strain as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions started during service and continue to present.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable and excess ratings for migraines prior to January 8, 2018, and on and after January 8, 2018, have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and annular tears has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions began during or are otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and knee disorders.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss or knee disorders as they were determined to be unrelated to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left elbow osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is denied because there is no in-service injury or disease and no evidence of continuity of symptomatology after separation from service.,Service connection for bilateral tinea pedis is granted as the Veteran's current condition can be linked to his active-duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either knee prior to August 6, 2021 based on limitation of motion. From August 6, 2021, the evidence did not show flexion limited to 60 degrees or less or extension limited to 30 degrees or more.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain of the lower extremities due to conflicting opinions and need for additional examination.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including a torn rotator cuff and glenohumeral osteoarthritis, is remanded for further examination to determine if it is related to service. The examiner must also assess whether the condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his right shoulder disability.