Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected left knee conditions do not allow him to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity sciatica, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, disc disease and spinal stenosis, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms began during his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee and spine disabilities, as the previous VA examinations did not adequately address these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee and low back disabilities, as well as his ability to perform occupational tasks due to these conditions. The TDIU case is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, more information is needed regarding functional loss during flare-ups and the application of the revised criteria for evaluating knee instability under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes degenerative arthritis post-radial styloidectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition as there was no evidence of limitation of motion or ankylosis warranting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, including as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the spine associated with residuals of left ankle fracture. The case is being sent back for further development and an examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and Type II diabetes mellitus as secondary to service-connected osteoarthritis of the right hip.,These cases are being returned to VA for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, right ankle osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and left knee MCL tear. The low back disability claim is being remanded.

The Board has granted a separate evaluation of 10 percent for left knee instability and a 20 percent evaluation for the left knee meniscal tear, but denied an increased evaluation for left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis have been remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding whether her knee conditions are proximately due or aggravated by her service-connected pes planus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain a retrospective addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to November 11, 2021. From November 11, 2021 onwards, the issue of TDIU is moot due to SMC at the (s) level.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on this requirement as of March 30, 2011.

The Board has restored a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right knee status post partial meniscectomy with osteoarthritis, effective September 1, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for CAD residuals is dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal before the Board could make a decision. The issues of service connection for right hip disorder, TTD for convalescence after right hip surgery, and TDIU are all remanded.

Your claim for a higher rating for your left knee condition has been denied because you did not show up for the scheduled VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for medical examinations to determine the nature, onset and etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and cataracts due to service-connected dry eye syndrome.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of left shoulder arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and cataracts were not present during his active duty or related to any in-service injury or disease.