Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of his left shoulder disability, service connection for PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's right ankle instability is rated at 20% from November 10, 2020 to September 14, 2021 and denied for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left hip arthritis is rated at 10% prior to November 10, 2020 and denied for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar strain was denied, and separate ratings were granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) and left lower extremity (LLE).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his TMJ dysfunction and any other related conditions. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no competent evidence linking any of the Veteran's current disabilities to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is found to be the primary cause of his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of current disability related to service. Service connection was granted for allergic rhinitis.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new and material evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot disorder, bilateral hands disorders, and bilateral hips disorders due to outstanding medical records and new opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and spinal fusion residuals as these conditions originated during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee instability and osteoarthritis of the left knee with limitation of motion due to a request for the credentials of the November 2019 VA examiner, concerns about the qualifications of the examiner, and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbar spine, with segmental instability and degenerative arthritis (claimed as a back condition) and right lower sciatic radiculopathy due to additional VA treatment records being added to the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left hand disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The case is also remanded for a determination on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right leg disability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied. The right forearm limitation of extension claim is pending with a remand to determine if it warrants an earlier effective date prior to December 21, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine condition, and an assessment of his functional limitations on employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right knee instability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected right knee instability.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings and TDIU has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including recent medical records from Olympia Orthopedic Associates. The Veteran is also required to complete a VA Form 21-8940 and provide information about his employment history.

The Board has determined that additional research and development is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to hazardous chemicals while stationed at Fort McLellan, which may be related to her skin cancer of the nose, erythematous rash, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and osteoarthritis. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.