Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the issues of increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and post traumatic degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, as well as service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis, as well as right and left tibiotalar joint osteoarthritis, are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, with a speech recognition score of 76% in the right ear and 78% in the left ear. The Board found that this did not warrant a compensable rating.,Left hip degenerative arthritis with residuals of left femur fracture was rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's range of motion allowed for abduction to at least 30 degrees, adduction to at least 20 degrees, external rotation to at least 40 degrees, internal rotation to 25 degrees, and crossing his legs. The Board found that this did not warrant a higher rating.,Left hip limitation of flexion was rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's range of motion allowed for greater than 45 degrees of flexion. The Board found that this did not warrant a compensable rating.,Hemorrhoids were rated as noncompensable, with mild or moderate severity and no large or thrombotic features.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the May 2022 VA examination report. The Veteran is seeking service connection for arthritic disabilities and non-arthritic cold weather residuals, including frostnip.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his knee disabilities due to inconsistencies in a prior VA examination. The case is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis, is related to a hard landing during a parachute jump in service. The Board finds sufficient evidence of a nexus between the current disability and service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the right glenohumeral joint (right shoulder), was incurred during active duty for training and is now granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), a neck disorder, a back disorder, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not show these conditions were related to service.,Service connection was also denied for all four issues due to lack of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to lose the use of both feet, qualifying him for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the VA Regional Office failing to obtain his Social Security Administration records prior to issuing its December 8, 2020 decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 7, 2014, for the award of service connection for left shoulder disability. The appeal was based on a petition to reopen previously denied claims and associated service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right and left hip osteoarthritis have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities and degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded as there were no recent private medical records submitted.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis of the hands, with ununited fracture ulnar styloid on the right, is remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for gout, bilateral great toe MTP joint, is remanded as there were no recent private medical records submitted.,The Veteran's claim for left ankle insertional Achilles tendinopathy with gout is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion on the part of the VA examiner.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded as there was no current diagnosis in the October 2021 VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for nummular eczema is remanded due to an inadequate nexus opinion based on the absence of a presumptive condition list.,The Veteran's claim for prostate condition is remanded due to an inadequate nexus opinion based on the absence of a presumptive condition list.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and limitation of extension of the left and right knee is not warranted.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is not warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with joint osteoarthritis, finding that his current disability is related to his in-service duties as a medical laboratory technician.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain Social Security Administration records, which may contain relevant information about the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, back disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and lack of consideration of the full appeal period. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 regarding his employment history.