Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist condition is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service, granting service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and medical opinions to assess his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for various shoulder, wrist, knee, and hamstring disabilities. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right ankle arthritis have also been remanded.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was found to not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it did not result in forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or ankylosis. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, despite his reported symptoms and limitations.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current knee disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's back condition is rated at 100% from January 22, 2020. The claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to October 18, 2019 and from January 22, 2020 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine ankylosing spondylitis, degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left shoulder osteoarthritis, and right shoulder osteoarthritis have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral elbow disabilities, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip post-traumatic osteoarthritis, finding that it is related to an in-service injury during combat duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, ganglioneuroma, and lumbar strain is denied as he does not have unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was reopened and granted.,Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome as secondary to lumbar strain, but not for shortness of breath.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome, which is a separate issue from his diagnosed bilateral degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,For the period prior to September 14, 2017, the Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica) has been rated at 20 percent and remains unchanged.,For the period starting March 5, 2015, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica) was denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate range of motion testing in her most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left knee, shoulder and wrist disabilities received separate decisions with specific findings on disability levels.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied. The right great toe gout claim is dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limited extension to 20 degrees, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis with degenerative meniscal tear and left knee osteoarthritis with degenerative meniscal tear, finding that the Veteran developed these conditions in service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is not found to be related to his right foot conditions, including flat foot, plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spur, and degenerative arthritis. The Board denied service connection for these conditions as secondary to his lumbar spine disability.