Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and cervical spine. The Veteran's current diagnoses are consistent with these conditions, and there is evidence that the stress from carrying heavy loads during active duty led to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis and IVDS, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate sufficient range of motion or incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. His initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis prior to April 17, 2013, and his rating of 40 percent or higher from that date onwards were also denied. However, he received separate compensable ratings (10%) for left knee symptomatic semilunar cartilage prior to October 19, 2010, and for left knee instability.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder was incurred in or causally related to documented injuries during service. Therefore, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including lumbosacral strain with facet joint arthropathy and degenerative arthritis of the spine, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating based on surgery necessitating convalescence for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis status post anterior cervical instrumented fusion beyond October 31, 2015 is denied as the evidence does not support such.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims were dismissed. The rating for left hip replacement with osteoarthritis was dismissed, while the other issues remained pending.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, L4-5 degenerative anterolisthesis, and L1 compression fracture residuals are granted as service connected. The Veteran's sinus disability (including sinusitis) and folliculitis are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical evaluation to determine if the Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis is related to her in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, right hip disability, and back disability due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection. The left elbow disability claim is not related to secondary service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to November 19, 2015.

The Board has dismissed the claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for the left ankle scar, left wrist scar, left ankle disability, and left knee disability. The cases are being remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's left knee, left wrist, and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including hip, ankle, foot, and back conditions. The appeals are being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, previously rated as myofascial lumbar strain to the paraspinal muscles bilaterally, prior to September 1, 2020, is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dental trauma, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and degenerative arthritis of the right hand and wrist have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,Service connection for arthritis of the bilateral shoulders is denied due to lack of in-service or post-service medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, along with his depressive disorder, render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development and clarification of evidence regarding the Veteran's employment status prior to July 16, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, including left and right total knee replacements. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to properly assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has restored service connection for right and left ankle osteoarthritis and strain, and granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's combined disability rating of 90 percent.

The Board has found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the back and knees is not related to service, including herbicide exposure or secondary to his PTSD. The skeletal arthritis claim remains pending as it lacks a clear opinion on whether it is due to herbicide exposure or PTSD.,The Veteran's hypertension claim also remains pending as there are no adequate opinions regarding its relationship to service, specifically herbicide exposure or PTSD.