Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the spine related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The case is now pending again with the possibility of obtaining updated VA treatment records and rescheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Gulf War Syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The decision found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS was granted effective April 17, 2017. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted and denied her request for increased ratings throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings, with the lumbar spine receiving a 40% rating since October 17, 2016, and the radiculopathies receiving 20% ratings for RLE and LLE prior to February 6, 2020.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD with strain prior to August 13, 2021. The matter of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 40 percent from that date is remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including degenerative arthritis and hallux valgus with first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis, status post bunionectomy, is granted an increased rating of 10 percent prior to August 24, 2021. The left foot disability remains pending for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, effective June 24, 2012.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have begun during active service and granted.,His bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the right knee are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, and their combined impact on his employability prior to October 4, 2018.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are granted. The Board has remanded for additional examinations to determine if the Veteran's claimed left hip and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to duty-to-assist errors and new evidence added during a period when it was not allowed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has dismissed the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for left foot hallux rigidus. The remaining issues have been remanded, including service connection for bilateral hand, ankle, hip, and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and service connection. The rating in excess of 20 percent for left foot disability remains denied, with the case being remanded.,Service connection is also being remanded for right wrist, bilateral shoulder, and right hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including osteoarthritis, has been reopened. However, the Board denied the claim as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current left knee disability and his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his service-connected lumbar spine and left knee disabilities, as the current evaluations are inadequate due to missing range of motion assessments.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 22, 2019 is remanded due to the need for a retrospective medical opinion on her employability.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to the combined effects of his service-connected PTSD, right knee degenerative arthritis, and non-service-connected left foot drop. Further examination is needed to distinguish between the effects of these conditions.