Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's pelvic floor dysfunction is caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran asserts that her current right shoulder disability may be related to in-service heavy lifting and/or sexual assault during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis may be related to his service-connected left wrist strain with history of ganglion cyst, and thus remands for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's pain is related to his parachute jumps during active service.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with the highest rating available for each condition. The Veteran is currently receiving a 20 percent rating for her left knee disability (meniscus tear) and a 10 percent rating for her right knee disability (limitation of motion).,The Veteran's appeal was denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, cervical strain, radiculopathy of the left arm, cerebral palsy, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and a left elbow disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis. The claims regarding the Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis and low back condition are remanded for de novo review on the merits.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for low back condition. The claims regarding the Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis and low back condition are remanded for de novo review on the merits.,The application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for right leg condition is remanded.,The application to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for left leg condition is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not total occupational and social impairment. A 70 percent disability rating is granted.,A higher rating for Degenerative Arthritis of the Back is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of eczema with tremors and right and left hand degenerative arthritis prevented him from obtaining and maintaining employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. The need for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to lack of examination.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine multilevel disc disease and left hip osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected right knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate medical opinion in September 2020. A new VA medical opinion is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU prior to December 28, 2011, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Veteran needs an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities under both the former and revised rating criteria.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis from October 1, 2010, forward. The decision finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's request to reopen her finally denied claim of service connection for headaches has been granted. The Board has also remanded several other issues including the increased rating for back disability, and claims for degenerative arthritis of shoulders, neck, and knees.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, including a low back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability and sciatic nerve pain are rated at 20 percent before May 24, 2019. From that date, the rating is increased to 40 percent for both conditions.,Neck disability was initially rated at 20 percent before May 18, 2021 and then increased to 30 percent from that date.

The Veteran's right and left hip osteoarthritis have been rated at 50 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, effective prior to December 6, 2019. The Board has remanded the issues for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and total right knee replacement with residuals, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.