Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's chronic headaches are found to be related to his service, specifically exposure to hazardous chemicals during deployment. Service connection is granted.,Right foot metatarsalgia is found to have been caused by an injury sustained while playing football in-service. Service connection is granted.,Left knee osteoarthritis is found to be related to a twisting injury that occurred in-service while playing football. Service connection is granted.,Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy in left lower extremity are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or aggravation during service.,The Veteran's radiculopathy in left lower extremity is also remanded for similar reasons.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to February 24, 2022. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence of limitation of flexion or extension that would warrant a higher rating. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for use of a back brace and bilateral knee braces in 2015, finding that his service-connected disabilities cause excessive wear on his clothing.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted, while her skin and left ear disabilities are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with slipped disc C5-C6 due to insufficient consideration of his lay history and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease status post compression fracture with low back strain and other related conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 12, 2019. As such, the Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that his current condition is related to non-service-connected degenerative disc disease/degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and diabetic neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected spondylolysis bilateral L-5 with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, muscle and joint pain (back, neck, left shoulder), fatigue, and skin symptoms are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Specifically, a VA examiner is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted a 20 percent disability rating from January 30, 2018 to April 4, 2022. The issue of entitlement to increased ratings for headaches and TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to April 9, 2018 and dismissed from that date onwards due to his combined disability rating of 100 percent. The SMC based on housebound status is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's hip disabilities are being remanded for additional development due to inadequate examination and addendum reports. The claims will be evaluated again with new evidence.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the right ankle disability from January 5, 2012 to December 9, 2019, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of swelling and severe painful limitation of motion, including during weight-bearing, approximated marked limitation of motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral trigger fingers and musculoskeletal disabilities due to chemotherapy involving Docetaxel, finding that there is no evidence showing VA care caused his additional disability or death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disability does not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.