Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability, including DJD and OA of the left knee, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee conditions, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 28, 2015.

The Veteran's cervical spine IVDS with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher initial rating of 30 percent is warranted. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left upper extremity radiculopathy and service connection for right upper extremity atrophy as secondary to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination in determining the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of a fracture of the left distal tibia and fibula with varus deformity and left ankle fracture with limitation of motion and left knee condition with arthritis, as well as an increase in rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The appeal seeking SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was granted.

The Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is granted service connection. The claims for uterine fibroids and hysterectomy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent, effective September 8, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of periodontal disease associated with dental trauma #7 to #11, and has remanded the issues of compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis, right little finger, and periodontal disease, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and eligibility to specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the need for further VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected condition.,Herpes was not diagnosed during service and no evidence supports its relation to service. ,Evidence received since the last final rating decision relates to an unestablished fact (migraine headaches) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Evidence received since the last final rating decision relates to an unestablished fact (an acquired psychiatric disability) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity meets criteria for a 10 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity meets criteria for a 10 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity meets criteria for a 20 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for right and left hip osteoarthritis based on limitation of flexion, extension, and rotation, adduction, or abduction due to incomplete range of motion testing in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and left hip conditions are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his military service, including the in-service bicycle accident. The claims will be reconsidered after the examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation from June 24, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective from that date.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations and opinions are necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and cervical spine disorders before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and thus favorable to the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim from September 7, 2016 was granted.