Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. However, it denied service connection for bilateral eye disability, diagnosed as cataracts.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including IVDS and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 20 percent from August 1, 2014 to August 3, 2017.,Cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted a separate 30 percent rating effective August 15, 2020. The right upper extremity received a separate 40 percent rating from that date.,Fibromyalgia is rated at its maximum schedular rating (30 percent) throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, fibromyalgia, and other joint disorders, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability, to include osteoarthritis, as the condition clearly and unmistakably pre-existed the Veteran's entrance into active duty and was not aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development to determine his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA service in the Army Reserve. The AOJ must obtain pay stubs from DFAS to confirm these dates.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for migraine headaches, PTSD with major depressive episodes, right hip strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that there is a need for updated VA and private treatment records, as well as new VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive episodes, bilateral knees, and hips.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, but no greater, since October 14, 2019.

The Veteran's right shoulder posttraumatic arthritis, left knee strain, and left knee meniscus tear with osteoarthritis have been granted increased ratings as of January 24, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right hand (thumb) is as likely as not attributable to service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw the appeal as to the issues of fracture of the 7th and 8th ribs, and right ulnar fracture.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a left knee condition and has also granted him presumptive service connection for left knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran experienced symptoms related to his left knee during service, which continued after discharge.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's current right knee disorder is clearly and unmistakably related to service, as the previous examiner used an incorrect evidentiary standard.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions: IVDS, bilateral leg radiculopathy, and left ear hearing loss. More contemporaneous examinations are needed for these issues.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral shoulder conditions are all found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for these disabilities.

The Board remands the issue of service connection for a left arm disability, to include status post abcess of left upper arm and left glenohumeral and acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, as an addendum opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and providing VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate statement of reasons or bases and failure to provide clear definitions for terms used in the rating criteria. The Veteran's left ankle disability is being evaluated again as a result.

The Board has found that the Veteran's increased rating claims for her bilateral knee disabilities must be remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.