Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records and lack of explanation regarding diagnostic codes used throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing his claims based on post-service falls related to his service-connected left ankle and knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back disorder, right ankle degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis (status post reverse total shoulder arthroplasty), left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The rating assigned is 60 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 27, 2011.,The Board found no entitlement to TDIU prior to May 27, 2011, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his ability to engage in activities such as painting and working on cars.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbosacral strain. The Board has also remanded cases involving service connection for left knee, skin, and neck conditions due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that the current disability is not related to military service and was more likely due to natural aging and physical activity post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to errors in the duty to assist and insufficient evidence for adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his shoulder disabilities and cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran was unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depression, right and left knee replacements, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and syphilis. The Board granted a TDIU prior to June 28, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings in various lower back and nerve conditions have been denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations in December 2019, which did not address positive evidence of record.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative arthritis, as well as his incisional hernia secondary to residuals of colon cancer, are granted. The Veteran's residuals of colon cancer (to include status post partial colectomy) are also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The claims for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to incomplete STRs, inadequate VA medical opinions, and need for updated treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's current foot conditions are being reviewed for a possible connection to his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is proximately due to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and left knee joint osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions had their onset during active service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is now rated at 40 percent effective March 7, 2018.,Left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is now rated at 10 percent effective December 28, 2017.

The appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic right groin problems, right big toe frostbite, left foot gout, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, tension headaches, and lumbar spine arthritis have been dismissed. The appeals for service connection of left knee disorder and right knee disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous directives regarding scheduling a VA examination for mobility and transportation issues.