Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low back, right hip osteoarthritis, and left hip strain. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are also denied, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to September 13, 2021.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing range of motion and functional loss due to pain, as well as retrospective measurements for the entire claims period.

The Board has determined that service connection for hypertension is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of hypertension in the record.,The nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back condition to include degenerative arthritis of the spine with sciatica, and headaches to include tension headaches and as secondary to service connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus (claimed as migraine headaches) are unclear due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran must be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination.,The Board has determined that service connection for headaches is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of a chronic condition in the record.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 5, 2021 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is directed to consider referral for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), right shoulder osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, type 2, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for an examination.

The Veteran's thoracic spine injury residuals are not rated appropriately, and the Board has ordered a remand to gather more information about his current condition.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is productive of at least mild, incomplete paralysis of the median nerve. The Board finds that a rating of at least 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 8515 is warranted for his neurological impairment of the left wrist.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were rated at 10% prior to May 18, 2017. The Board found no evidence of instability or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability prior to July 21, 2014. An addendum VA opinion is needed to estimate the degree of range of motion loss during flare-ups or repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral hand, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are service-connected. GERD, sleep apnea, and breathing disorder were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render her unemployable, and she was employed on a full-time basis prior to January 3, 2016. Effective January 4, 2016, the Veteran is granted SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to incomplete information.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The appellant has withdrawn his appeal, leaving only the issue of entitlement to TDIU in appellate status. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder and left foot disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The Veteran's service connection claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis. The low back disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral knee disorders (right and left), and bilateral ankle disorders (left and right). The conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current low back disorder. The Veteran is currently diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the spine, which he contends are related to an in-service injury during service.