Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right knee and left hip conditions, as well as a recurrent sleep disability (obstructive sleep apnea), have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, degenerative arthritis, and strain are related to active service. His left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, degenerative arthritis, and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome are also related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine disorder (including degenerative arthritis) and lumbar spine disorder (including degenerative arthritis).,Service connection is denied for a neurological disorder of the right lower extremity as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disorder.,Left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis due to inadequate medical opinions in the prior decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine on an extraschedular basis and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a left foot condition, including hammer toe, hallux valgus, and degenerative arthritis. The decision finds that the Veteran's current left foot problems began during service due to strenuous duties.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The left knee disability claim is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability to include osteoarthritis and total knee replacement residuals, finding that the right knee disability caused an altered gait leading to left knee arthritis. The issue of service connection for multiple joint arthritic disabilities is remanded.

The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for residuals of heat stroke has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for endochondrosis with benign osseous lesions of the right and left wrists, as well as right and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's current thumb conditions are rated at 10%.

The Board granted service connection for a right hip disability (diagnosed as osteoarthritis and trochanteric pain syndrome) based on the Veteran's in-service injury during his active duty service. The other issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability and whether it is related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus on a presumptive basis. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and requests additional development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine, glaucoma, a chronic disability manifested as shortness of breath, and cataracts all related to military service. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and that there is no evidence of aggravation during service. The presumption of soundness applies due to the normal evaluation at enlistment.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, tension headaches, and left hand strain have been granted service connection.,An increased rating of 10 percent for hypertension has also been granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for DDD of the cervical spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's insomnia disorder, right shoulder strain, and foot conditions were also denied their respective increased ratings.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including allergic rhinitis, right ear hearing loss, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The remand includes obtaining missing service treatment records, VA treatment records, and a medical examination for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and hypertension has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress is granted, effective from October 25, 2016.