Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the left hip have been granted. The claim for left foot bunions is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his knee and foot disabilities, as well as his lumbar spine disability. The issues include prepatellar effusion of both knees, degenerative arthritis with calcaneal spurs in both feet, and a disc bulge in the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's low back disorder and associated radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings, with the left lower extremity radiculopathy receiving a higher rating since October 5, 2020.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's diagnosed foot conditions and his service-connected bilateral foot drop.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's statements about chronic or continuous symptoms since her in-service injury were not credible and that there was no causal relationship between her current condition and the September 2000 in-service injury.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for the period prior to October 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and low back disability due to potential pre-existing conditions and lack of clear and unmistakable aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for a VA examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee condition is being remanded due to the need for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition is also being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease as due to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that his current condition is more likely related to age and his service-connected lumbar strain than to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected mild degenerative arthritis of the left index finger was denied as this disability is currently rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded both the claim for an increased rating for back disability and the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional consideration of lay evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including impingement, rotator cuff and bicipital tendonitis, glenohumbral osteoarthritis, and acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, is being remanded for further evaluation. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the right shoulder disability claim.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition, finding that the Veteran's preexisting left knee semilunar cartilage condition did not worsen during his military service and that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and dextroscoliosis, cervical DJD, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral shoulder degenerative arthritis and DJD, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculoapthy, plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur, tinea corporis, and varicose veins are all granted. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70%.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination of the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with tri-compartmental osteophytosis and joint space narrowing, as it was last examined in 2013. The Veteran is currently incarcerated and efforts must be made to have him examined at his correctional facility or by a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left hip osteoarthritis is related to a fall during ACDUTRA service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.