Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other functional loss.

The Veteran's right ankle osteoarthritis with tendonitis and sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating. The lumbosacral strain and DDD are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the STRs do not show any treatment or complaints related to this condition.,Service connection for myocardial infarction is denied because there is no indication that it occurred during active duty, reserve duty, or within one year post-service. The Veteran's STRs are silent on heart problems, and his current diagnosis of a myocardial infarction is not linked to service.,The claim for service connection for PTSD is denied as the Veteran did not have any in-service stressors that were verified by VA and there is no evidence linking his current psychiatric condition to service. The STRs do not show any treatment or diagnoses related to a psychiatric disability.,Service connection for hypertension is denied because there is no indication of hypertension during active duty, and post-service records are negative for this condition. There is also no link between the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension and his military service.,The claim for low back disability is remanded as the VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's STRs showing a motor vehicle accident in service that resulted in back pain, nor did they perform any diagnostic testing.,Service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied because there are no STRs indicating treatment or complaints related to this condition during active duty. The VA examiner also noted the absence of contemporaneous medical records showing evaluation or treatment for the claimed conditions.,Service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is denied for similar reasons as right knee, with no STRs indicating treatment or complaints related to this condition during active duty and no diagnostic testing performed by the VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected left and right foot disability, as well as PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at 10 percent for the period from August 28, 2013 to December 8, 2015. For the period from February 1, 2017, a 70 percent rating is granted for right hip disability post-total arthroplasty.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis and left knee degenerative arthritis have been granted service connection. The case of recurrent multi joint and muscle disability (fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome) is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bowel dysfunction and to clarify which symptoms are due to his service-connected condition versus non-service-connected colon cancer residuals. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the rating claim.

The Board denied service connection for a degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues on appeal were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar disc herniation with intervertebral syndrome, right hip osteoarthritis with status-post right total hip arthroplasty, and left hip strain have been reopened. The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected lumbar spine disability, and also grants service connection for right and left hip disabilities as secondary to his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar strain with herniated disc, osteoarthritis and impingement of the bilateral L5-S1 nerves, as well as a TDIU claim due to marked interference with employment. The Veteran is advised to provide supporting medical evidence regarding his low back disability and periods of marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for dysthymic disorder from June 4, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 70 percent. The Veteran's entitlement to TDIU since June 4, 2012 was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his neck, left hip, and bilateral foot disabilities. The claims are not currently decided on service connection.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis, status post meniscus removal surgery, is rated at 10 percent. The ratings for left and right Achilles tendonitis are also 10 percent each.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis, left knee strain with old avulsion fracture fragment lateral aspect of the proximal tibia, and right thumb strain due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether pneumonia and COPD were related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence showing ankylosis, functional equivalent of ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes in any 12-month period.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not considered in need of such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma and has remanded his case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his right hand disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that it is a chronic disease with onset during combat service and continuity of symptomatology since discharge.