Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and knee conditions, preclude her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion to address functional impairment during flare-ups and repeated use of lumbosacral degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder with radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, initial increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right shoulder osteoarthritis, as well as initial compensable ratings for residuals of a right fifth metacarpal fracture and lichenification.,No new evidence or arguments have been provided to support these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding higher initial ratings for service-connected TBI residuals and back disability. The Board cannot proceed with these issues as the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 31, 2018. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including his meniscal tear, degenerative arthritis, and total knee arthroplasty, is related to a post-service motor vehicle accident rather than service. The temporary total evaluation claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, currently diagnosed as osteoarthritis, finding that it had its onset during active service and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The remaining issues, including a right hip disability and increased ratings for the left knee prior to and after total knee replacement, are remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability evaluation for his service-connected right and left ankle fractures with degenerative arthritis due to administrative issues regarding VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and an acute small meniscus tear, is currently rated at 20 percent since January 21, 2020. The rating remains unchanged prior to that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking his current knee disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The Veteran is granted increased ratings of 20 percent for limitation of abduction and 10 percent for limitation of extension.,The Veteran's left hip condition remains in dispute with the need for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right elbow condition, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected residuals of fracture of right ring finger and is unrelated to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, left knee, and left hip disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back and left knee disorder, finding no link between these conditions and any in-service events.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation, and that any current conditions are more likely due to natural progression over time.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unfavorable ankylosis, and therefore, a rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted. However, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.