Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate examination addressing the features and severity of the right knee disability from September 28, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left hip disabilities due to a lack of adequate rationale in prior VA opinions. The Veteran's representative requested an orthopedist specialist opinion on both direct and secondary theories.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 13, 2014. Therefore, the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted with an effective date of July 31, 2011.

The appeal for service connection for urethral stricture is dismissed. The appeals for PTSD, osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, alcoholism, chemical dependence, and insomnia are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left knee conditions are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee meniscal tear and DJD, as well as left hip iliopsoas tendonitis and degenerative arthritis, have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to her active duty service. The claim for chest disability is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection was established for low back disability and right shoulder disability based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a respiratory condition, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee disability. Additional records are needed from SSA, VA treatment records, private doctors, and exposure confirmation. A new medical opinion is required to consider the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service and his current disability picture.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, claimed as a back condition to include as secondary to his service-connected right foot and bilateral knee disabilities is granted. The appeal seeking entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot hallux valgus status post bunionectomy is dismissed. The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for plantar calcaneal spur exostosis of the right foot, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left hand ankylosed little finger with degenerative arthritis is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeals for COPD, bilateral shoulder conditions, Peyronie's disease, skin cancer, right heel disability, peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities, entitlement to a compensable rating for residuals of a rib fracture, and earlier effective date prior to February 28, 2013 for the award of service connection for a rib fracture residual were dismissed. The Veteran's esophageal stricture was granted with a 50% disability rating. Service connection for coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis of the right wrist, and bilateral knees was also granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including evaluating any functional loss due to flare-ups or repetitive use. The issues are remanded pending resolution of these matters.

The Board dismissed all appeals for increased ratings and effective date claims related to various conditions, including cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, posttraumatic degenerative changes of the right ankle, right shoulder rotator cuff strain/tendonitis, degenerative changes of the left knee, degenerative changes of the right knee, sciatic nerve radiculopathies in both lower extremities, and femoral nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent, and the right knee disability is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for these conditions.,SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status from March 1, 2021 was denied as he does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hyperlipidemia was dismissed. The claims of service connection for left and right ankle conditions, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, obesity, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, eating disorder, and sleeping disturbances), right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip pain, left hip pain, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity have been reopened.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hand, left hand, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as there were no competent opinions linking the current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders, as well as his right and left hip disorders, are being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions.,The lumbar spine DDD and thoracic spine fracture claims are also being remanded for a more complete evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and TDIU due to new evidence added since the December 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.