Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent prior to September 20, 2021. The Board remanded the issue of rating in excess of 40 percent for the entire appeal period and also remanded the claim for increased rating for cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbar condition is granted service connection as it is at least in equipoise that the disability was incurred during his military service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion addressing the severity of the Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy and potential secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction and constipation.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, including degenerative arthritis, DDD, spinal fusion, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and residuals from post-spinal fusion, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and meniscal tear, finding that the Veteran's statements of continuous symptoms since service are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied as not incurred in or related to service.,Service connection for asthma and a respiratory disability other than asthma is remanded due to potential exposure to particulate matter during service.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, status-post fusion is granted. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 40 percent for this condition is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination opinions regarding the Veteran's arthritis, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis of multiple joints. New medical opinions are needed from a rheumatologist or physician.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent prior to February 17, 2020 and denied throughout the appeal. The left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent prior to February 17, 2020 and denied throughout the appeal. Service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and tinnitus are granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent from August 1, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to January 10, 2014 and granted a separate 40 percent rating for severe incomplete paralysis of the upper radicular group.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression) is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the right knee disability is rated at 10 percent. The issue of a higher rating for left knee instability has been granted.,The Veteran's right knee instability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a substance use disorder and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot tenosynovitis with mild osteoarthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support secondary service connection for the substance use disorder, and that the severity of the right foot disability did not warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and headaches, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted with a 30 percent rating from September 5, 2011 to July 31, 2019. A higher 40 percent rating is granted for the period August 6, 2018 to July 31, 2019. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 11, 2016.

The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current right knee disability and breast cancer with double mastectomy, as they are not related to service. The claims for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, had its onset during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.