Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims for prior to August 23, 2018, were denied as his unemployability was not solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain additional medical records and service personnel records, as well as a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on eleven service-connected disabilities is dismissed due to the absence of a notice of disagreement (NOD) for the October 2017 rating decision that awarded the maximum, 50 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease was granted service connection. The case is remanded for a new VA medical opinion regarding the bilateral foot condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various hip, foot, and low back disorders due to inadequate medical opinions in the prior decision.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The issues of service connection for a bilateral hand disability, sinus disability, retention cyst maxillary sinus, varicose vein disability of the bilateral lower extremities, urinary incontinence disability, and service connection for sleep apnea have been remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right and left lumbar radiculopathy, and left knee posttraumatic osteoarthritis have been granted initial ratings. A TDIU has also been granted.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.,Service connection is denied for a fatigue condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disorder, characterized as degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is as likely as not related to his active-duty service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain and left ankle degenerative arthritis are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations, with no higher ratings due to lack of ankylosis or other specific criteria.,Service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is denied as it pre-existed service. Service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right foot arthritis is related to service-connected bilateral pes planus. The case will be returned for a new addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and effective dates has been decided.,Service connection for TMJ is remanded, and the issue of CUE in the November 2011 rating decision regarding lumbar spine disability is referred to the RO.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted with a separate 10 percent rating prior to March 15, 2016. The claim for increased ratings for chondromalacia and limitation of motion are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia, a compensable rating for left foot hammer toes, and whether new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen previously denied claims for service connection. The remaining issues were dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for occipital neuralgia (headaches) as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis is granted. The claim for an evaluation higher than 20 percent for the cervical spine disorder remains denied, and a remand is ordered for further review of intercranial hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment, as his vision impairment does not qualify under the specified regulations.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by chronic sprain and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 20 percent since the initial rating decision. The Board found that it more nearly approximated a severe limitation of motion.

The Veteran's back condition, right shoulder strain, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as a left shoulder and hand condition), and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as a right hand condition) are all granted. The kidney condition is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot pes planus, as the Veteran's preexisting flat feet did not worsen during his active duty service.,The Board also denied service connection for left and right foot hallux rigidus with degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no in-service injury or disease to these joints.