Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, a left foot disorder, sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and recurrent subluxation of the right knee. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and missing records. The Veteran's back conditions are being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with the highest rating of 10 percent for each knee. The claims for higher ratings are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis is proximately due to his service-connected left foot disease, and thus grants the claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current left knee disability and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, cervical spine disability, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and clarification of prescribed bedrest periods.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorders are related to service.,Service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis and left shoulder osteoarthritis is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a torn lateral meniscus and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 20 percent effective July 14, 2021. The rating is for instability of the joint.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings for his service-connected cervical neck strain, degenerative conditions, and radiculopathies due to incomplete development. The VA is required to obtain an addendum opinion regarding ankylosis of the cervical spine and a neurological examination for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the appellant's right shoulder disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, finding that these conditions are directly related to the Veteran's in-service injuries and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine prior to July 24, 2018 was granted. He is currently rated at 10 percent effective from February 4, 2011.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his MDD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent, has not been shown to warrant a higher rating as the evidence does not demonstrate limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability to include degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to active service.

Your initial compensable ratings for scar of right hand, third finger; scars of the right knee and ankle; left knee degenerative arthritis; total right knee replacement have been dismissed.,Your appeal to reopen service connection for a right shoulder injury has been dismissed.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.,OSA had its onset during service and the Veteran's OSA is related to service.,Right ankle disorder has moderate limitation of motion with pain, warranting a 10% rating.,Right knee osteoarthritis with tendonitis and limited extension does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to no more than moderate flexion limitation.,Right knee osteoarthritis with tendonitis and painful motion also does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to no more than moderate flexion limitation.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for osteoarthritis of the right 5th MCP joint is denied, and his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for prostate condition/urinary condition and bilateral knee condition have been reopened, but the claim for degenerative arthritis, left knee remains denied.,The Board found that while the Veteran has a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis, left knee, there is no evidence to support a nexus between his in-service injury and the development of this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to lose the use of both feet, qualifying him for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.