Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of updated employment and income information since his last application in 2015. The VA needs to obtain these details before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and right shoulder degenerative arthritis due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

Service connection for asthma and left knee condition is granted.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further action regarding a compensable rating for left knee disability beginning April 10, 2017. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for limited extension and no higher under Diagnostic Code 5261.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right knee have been granted. The remaining issues, including those related to a right shoulder disability, post-concussive syndrome, migraine, left ankle fracture, left knee arthralgia, and left foot Morton's neuroma, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disability and TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for new examinations, as well as the retrieval of VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with coccyx strain was denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of ankylosis, IVDS, or significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's combined effects of his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral dry eye syndrome, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to unresolved medical issues.

The Veteran's claims for cramping of the body, chronic pain also claimed as chronic multi symptom illness and sleep disturbances/insomnia are denied as they are considered manifestations of his service-connected fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left foot plantar fasciitis and right foot plantar fasciitis claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for further development, including a VA examination. The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee tendonitis was reopened, and the Board found that his left knee osteoarthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for left knee osteoarthritis is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran needs VA examinations to assess the current severity of his left and right knee disabilities, including any functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities, including headaches, skin disability other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and left ligament sprain. The Board has determined that these issues require further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Veteran is granted a 10% evaluation for right and left shin splints, but her claims are remanded for further development regarding other conditions.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to April 28, 2022 and a higher rating is denied for the period beginning on April 28, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right knee disabilities were denied. She was granted a separate compensable rating of 20 percent under DC 5258.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine conditions. The first issue is a request for a compensable rating for his scar, right knee. The second issue is seeking an increased rating for post operative residuals of the right knee torn medial meniscus with degenerative arthritis prior to June 1, 2018 (except the temporary total period). The third issue is seeking an increased rating for post operative residuals of the right knee torn medial meniscus with degenerative arthritis as of June 1, 2018. Lastly, the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spinal stenosis with severe DDD at L4/5 and L5/S1 is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims were dismissed or remanded as requested. The claim of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was granted, while the claims for hemorrhoids and chronic left ankle sprain are also granted.