Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left and right knee degenerative arthritis with painful motion have been rated at 10 percent since July 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for additional medical opinions and examinations regarding the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, except for the period from September 12, 2017 to November 1, 2017. The Board has remanded several issues related to his knee and spine conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating, as his symptoms did not warrant an increase beyond the current 10% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the spine associated with residuals of left ankle fracture. The case requires further development due to the need for an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea but has remanded the issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left thumb, a left shoulder condition, and ulnar neuropathy of the left elbow due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left knee conditions was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to August 5, 2017 and remanded the claims for left knee instability and osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and low back disability due to inadequate VA opinions addressing secondary service connection.

The Veteran's back disability was not found to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 12, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain with osteoarthritis and left ankle sprain were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to December 3, 2019, or in excess of 10 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service, particularly the motor vehicle accident in May 1988. The VA is asked to obtain updated treatment records and provide additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has denied service connection for upper-gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, left shoulder disorder, right hand disorder, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder as these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle tendonitis with osteoarthritis and calcaneal spurs, as well as a separate rating for left ankle instability, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of his disability status.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent effective July 2019, and his left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve from July 16, 2013 to March 8, 2017, and thereafter, is also rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination and an inadequate addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The issues are remanded for addendum opinions and additional development.

Effective July 24, 2017, the Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues regarding service connection for left foot and right foot conditions are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation of why a VA examination was not required, and for additional development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. However, his claim for valvular heart disease must be remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it was aggravated by hypertension during service.

The Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including word finding difficulty and neurocognitive disorder, are found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis.