Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring him to rely on assistive devices for mobility. The Board has granted financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, while the right shoulder condition remains in dispute and remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an increased rating for left knee disability, and TDIU due to unresolved medical issues and lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal to restore a 60% rating for his lumbar spine disability has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing this appeal.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for osteoarthritis/degenerative arthritis of the left knee before January 19, 2018, finding that the Veteran's disability more nearly approximates the next-highest rate.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the last final decision supports reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection, but finds no link between his current back disability and his military service.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability. However, the evidence does not establish that the current condition is related to service or an in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that his right knee osteoarthritis did not cause or aggravate his obesity, and therefore could not be considered an intermediate step in causing his left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to incomplete service personnel records and missing SSA disability determination. The Veteran's right leg/hip disorder is still under consideration.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and medical opinions provided are inadequate, and thus the case is being remanded to obtain addendum opinions from appropriate clinicians regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral lower extremity disorders (to include varicose veins, bilateral hip degenerative arthritis, bilateral knee strain, and left knee meniscal tear) and bilateral foot disorders (to include bilateral hammer toes, bilateral foot degenerative arthritis, bilateral calcaneal spurs, and bilateral achilles enthesopathy/achilles tendinitis).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and degenerative joint disease of the left knee have been denied. The Veteran received a 10 percent rating prior to October 21, 2015, based on limitation of motion, but her claim was not granted higher than that level.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of right and left total knee replacements were also denied. She currently receives a 30 percent rating for each condition.

The Veteran's low back disability with radiculopathy has been rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted.,New evidence supports reopening of the Veteran's claims for left knee surgery, skin condition (folliculitis), and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for impingement syndrome of the left shoulder with slap tear and degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The right shoulder and right ankle conditions are granted service connection, but further examination is needed for other claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis and whether it is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected left wrist disability.

The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,For his right knee disability, the Veteran is seeking an increased rating. The current rating of 10 percent does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to issues related to right sacroiliac strain and radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU effective April 23, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and for TDIU before July 16, 2012 due to inadequate VA examinations regarding functional impairment during flareups.

The Veteran's appeals for restoration of evaluations for his service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The issue of whether the reduction in evaluation was proper remains pending.