Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues with service connection and increased rating for left shoulder osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination addressing whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claims of service connection for a sleep disability, including sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including right shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis and osteoarthritis; right knee iliotibial band syndrome; recurrent ankle sprain residuals; recurrent hamstring disability; bilateral plantar fasciitis; heel spurs; and hip degenerative arthritis. The appeal for service connection for a left hamstring disability has been withdrawn.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and a nerve disability, to include radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD, bilateral knee disabilities, and hemorrhoids due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for LEFT shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with AC joint osteoarthritis, LEFT ring finger limitation of motion, and a LEFT wrist scar have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating greater than 0 percent for a RIGHT chest scar (status post cyst removal), secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, and service connection for insomnia / sleep disorder have been granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD with associated anxiety has been granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for deviated nasal septum from a broken nose has been denied due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.,The Veteran's appeals for secondary service connection for insomnia / sleep disorder and erectile dysfunction have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (ED), alopecia, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left shoulder osteoarthritis, left elbow tendonitis, neck pain, hypertension (HTN), and rhinitis were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these claims before the decision was promulgated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected knee condition and there is no persuasive medical evidence showing its onset during or shortly after service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 20 percent for service-connected cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease, finding that the evidence does not support an increase in rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a recurrent lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition started in service and has continued since then. The decision is based on the Veteran's lay statements of symptoms from active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and lumbar disorder, back pain, degenerative arthritis due to new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's residuals of fractured coccyx (claimed as back injury) were caused by a parachuting injury during active-duty service and granted service connection.,Obstructive sleep apnea was first diagnosed during active-duty service, and the Veteran is granted service connection for this condition. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee remains pending as remanded.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for further development, including scheduling new examinations to address service connection claims for various foot, ankle, knee, and back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including hammertoes, hallux valgus, and degenerative arthritis of the MTP joint, is etiologically related to service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted, effective February 18, 2013. He is now receiving SMC at the housebound rate, effective October 16, 2013.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss and a respiratory disability (to include COPD) to be further evaluated due to insufficient evidence in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted, as it meets the criteria for service connection based on a direct link between the current disability and an in-service injury.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to a full grant of benefits, and no case or controversy remains.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders were denied as the evidence did not show that they warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.