Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's back disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, and left knee disorder have been granted evaluations. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have also been granted evaluations. An effective date of September 30, 2020 has been established for these service connection awards.

The Board has ordered remand for additional development due to the need for a thorough and contemporaneous examination of the Veteran's right knee disabilities, including addressing his reported symptoms and flare-ups.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right ankle disabilities were granted, while the rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis was denied.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted due to worsening symptoms during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine. The examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's service connection claim and her exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of drainage of a left shoulder abscess, including glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and scarring. The decision finds that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for chronic thoracolumbar strain with lumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis, since October 5, 2019, is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the upper extremities (right and left) and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain with tendonitis, and PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder. The issues related to these conditions have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability prior to June 27, 2013 is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's low back condition and right shoulder condition are being remanded for additional development of medical evidence.,The Veteran's skin condition (claimed as genital herpes) is also being remanded for additional development of medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs further VA examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability due to inadequate medical evidence and failure to provide adequate reasons or bases for its denial.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's lumbar spine and right knee disabilities, as his symptoms have worsened since his last VA examination.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, but has remanded issues regarding urinary incontinence, bilateral leg weakness and numbness, as well as TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues on appeal, including a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's back disability. The remanded issues include evaluations for degenerative arthritis with retrolisthesis and service-connected residuals of gunshot wounds.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lower back disability, including his service connection and its etiology.