Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for initial ratings and TDIU due to inadequate discussion of additional limitations during flare-ups in the October 2018 VA examination reports. The Veteran's low back and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded for new medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's daughter, P., is recognized as a helpless child due to her disabilities and inability to support herself prior to the age of 18. The claim was reopened based on new evidence showing she became permanently incapable of self-support before reaching the age of 18.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee arthritis disability status post total arthroplasty as secondary to his service-connected left hip condition.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU prior to October 18, 2021 have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these issues as the appeal is no longer valid.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, effective May 31, 1967. The Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis and spinal fusion is found to be related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to outstanding medical records and a need for updated examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and degenerative arthritis are found to have originated during active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher disability ratings for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis with left heel spur (including osteoarthritis), and tinnitus before the decision was finalized.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability and secondary service connection for his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records from his in-service surgery. The Board requests that these records be obtained and an addendum opinion be provided by a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities have been reopened, but the Board has denied both claims due to a lack of evidence showing in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for right knee disability as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability, finding that the fall and resulting injury to the right knee was a result of the Veteran's vertigo rather than the service-connected right ankle giving way.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for instability since November 4, 2011. The rating was granted as he meets the criteria for moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right hand finger disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent lay evidence of current disabilities that had their onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, right knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar strain, and right hand disability, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 16, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and a TDIU are remanded due to insufficient examination findings. The claim for an initial rating is remanded because the May 2022 VA examination report does not comply with the requirements laid out in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016). The TDIU claim is remanded due to its inextricability from the initial rating claim.