Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and back conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use over time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his left knee scar, right and left knee medial-lateral instability, and synovitis and osteoarthritis of the right knee with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left foot bullet wound including degenerative arthritis with residual scars was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's lay testimony established the occurrence of in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, but the issue of higher evaluation for cervical spine degenerative arthritis remains remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,Service connection is also granted for left lower extremity neurological disability (lumbar radiculopathy).,The claim for right lower extremity neurological disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to right knee osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected left knee strain due to inadequate VA etiological opinions and lack of a copy of the examiner's curriculum vitae.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that the Veteran's flexion and extension did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of February 19, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for right knee replacement surgery is remanded due to a duty to assist error and the need for new medical opinions considering all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder osteoarthritis are granted as service connected. The Board found the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service credible.,The Veteran was hospitalized for a head injury in 1982, which is considered to be a TBI resulting in current residuals including mood disorder not otherwise specified.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. A 20% rating was granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran did not have continuous symptoms since separation from active duty and there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing his current condition.,The Board also denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left wrist, concluding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely due to normal aging rather than an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU benefits prior to April 27, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no chronic disease shown in service or within one year after separation, and no continuity of symptoms since service. The Board also found that his current cervical spine disability is not related to any in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. For the period prior to August 23, 2019, the disability was rated at 20 percent and not higher due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis. For the period beginning August 23, 2019, a rating in excess of 40 percent is denied as there were no incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for such a rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lower back is granted. The appeal for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending and requires further remand.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, right and left knee disabilities, hypertension, otitis media of the right ear, and onychomycosis of both feet. A mental disorders examination is also required.