Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted entitlement to total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) throughout this appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for his left and right knee disabilities from 10% to 30% effective June 1, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for a head injury, to include TBI, and a back disability, to include degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding no credible evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and sleep apnea are granted service connection, while a 50% rating is granted for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The issues related to these conditions have been resolved.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and chronic mycotic infection of the left foot.,Service connection was also remanded for bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment since September 1, 2017. Effective September 1, 2017, a TDIU is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of plantar fasciitis (claimed as left foot pain) due to a withdrawal request from the appellant. The appeals for higher ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, OSA, cervical spine degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy, left ribs contusion, right elbow strain, bilateral hand strain and degenerative arthritis (other than posttraumatic) of the bilateral hands, and low back degenerative disc disease have been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including tonic clonic seizures and multiple knee and thigh conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran served as an infantryman with multiple parachute jumps, which may be relevant to his current conditions.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, including erosive gastritis, is granted service connection. The right and left hand arthritis are denied as not related to service. Right knee and left knee osteoarthritis and sleep apnea are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is found to be causally related to his periods of active duty, and it is granted as secondary to this condition. The same reasoning applies to his bilateral hip osteoarthritis, which is also granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, were granted increased ratings up to a maximum of 60 percent for each knee. The total knee replacements are denied as higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for spine and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence, including lack of consideration of medication effects and range of motion measurements. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to evaluate his current disability levels.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision finds that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding medical records, need for additional examinations, and the need to obtain a VA opinion regarding his diabetes mellitus.,The Board is requesting that all relevant treatment records be obtained, including those from Dr. S.A., as well as any other private care providers who may have treated the Veteran since March 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and scoliosis, and left ankle sprain have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.