Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for myofascial spastic pain disorder was dismissed because the claim was granted in full, with service connection now established for lumbosacral strain associated with degenerative arthritis and myofascial pain syndrome, as well as cervical strain associated with degenerative arthritis and myofascial pain syndrome.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted as service connected due to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has restored service connection for degenerative arthritis with IVDS and spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to an injury in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and total knee replacement are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the back has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with this matter.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis status post replacement surgery.

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and ankle, finding that the Veteran's claims were not filed within one year of his separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities is granted, with a rating of 50%.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to determine the severity of his service-connected back and neck disabilities, including whether there is evidence of functional ankylosis during flare-ups.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and diabetes mellitus type 2.,Service connection is denied for osteoarthritis of the left hand, osteoarthritis of the right hand, and ventral hernia.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a 10% evaluation, effective from May 27, 2021. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is granted a 20% evaluation, effective from October 6, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. She also requires aid and attendance due to her service-connected conditions, resulting in SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right hip disorder, including sacroiliitis and osteoarthritis, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the inguinal hernia is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service fall and current condition. The Board also noted that the disability did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine disability, including osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his in-service injury. The Board also noted that the Veteran did not have continuous complaints related to his lumbar spine after service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury and osteoarthritis of the lower back have been granted. The effective date for these grants is June 13, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with panic disorder, right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and headaches, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 7, 2017. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a retrospective opinion on functional loss of his lumbar spine.