Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the current diagnoses were not related to service or any service-connected conditions. The Board also denied service connection for a left wrist carpal tunnel disability as secondary to service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant records are associated with the claims file and for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate examinations and the need for updated evaluations of the Veteran's right knee, lumbosacral spine, and left shoulder disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right radial nerve paresthesia disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo an examination to determine the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.,Service connection for a back disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's current back disability, right hip disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and migraines. The issues of service connection for a right hip disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and migraines are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU based on his physical and cognitive limitations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for L2-L5 lumbar spondylosis and degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's insomnia disorder claim was also denied, with a 30% rating being assigned.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including early osteoarthritis and dislocated semilunar cartilage with locking and effusion, has been rated based on the severity of symptoms such as pain, instability, and joint locking. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted under current criteria.,A separate 20 percent rating for moderate right knee instability effective May 13, 2015 was granted.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for his left knee disability prior to July 21, 2021 is denied. For the period from September 1, 2022, an initial evaluation higher than 60 percent for Osgood-Schlatter's disease with osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post total knee arthroplasty is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left wrist disability is denied, and the issue of service connection for a left-hand sensory disturbance as secondary to his service-connected wrist condition is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and COPD, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found that COPD is not due to herbicide exposure during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 6, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for right knee instability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition secondary to his right knee condition and granted this claim.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each. The appeal was remanded due to issues related to lower extremity neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his bilateral knee disabilities and a VA aid and attendance examination. The issues of increased ratings for the left and right knees, TDIU, and SMC based on need for aid and attendance are being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis status post arthroscopic repair and ACL reconstruction is denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.