Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a back disability due to inadequate examination in June 2021. The Veteran's statements and service records indicate possible onset during service, but an adequate VA examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, including acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine and foot disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability as the evidence did not show a current disability was related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for spondylolisthesis with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine due to receipt of additional relevant VA medical records that have not been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for reactive depression, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS) have been withdrawn or reopened. The cases are now remanded for further development.,Service connection remains pending for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives regarding the severity of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine prior to September 22, 2015. The case is now pending for further consideration.

The Veteran's right hand fracture resulting in first metacarpal joint osteoarthritis (dominant) is rated at 10 percent from December 12, 2014. Service connection for sarcoidosis is granted.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from December 16, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities making it impossible for her to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral knee strain due to new and material evidence. The claims for right and left knee strains are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is related to her military service and granted. The right knee disability and left knee disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knee and foot conditions, have impacted his ability to work. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the need for an examination considering the occupational limitations caused by these disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board denied a compensable rating for right hip osteoarthritis, strain, and hamstring tear with limitation of flexion due to the Veteran's range of motion being limited to 90 degrees during flare-ups. The claim for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip osteoarthritis, strain and hamstring tear with limitation of extension was not addressed.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for left knee sprain with patellofemoral syndrome, non-displaced patella fracture, and medial meniscal tear, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of flexion with osteoarthritis.,The Board found that the Veteran's OSA was not incurred during active-duty service.

The Board has decided to remand three cases involving increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left ankle arthritis, right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis, and postoperative residuals of the left knee. The decision is based on the need for additional development including obtaining private treatment records from UC Health and VA treatment records from February 2021 to present, as well as an examination to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and lower back injury due to a lack of STRs confirming an in-service mortar attack, as well as missing VA treatment records from Michigan. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to verify the mortar attack and obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to support a secondary service connection based on his right tibia disability.