Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis prior to February 1, 2018, and TDIU due to service connection disabilities prior to February 1, 2018, are being remanded due to inadequate reasons or bases provided by the Board in its June 2021 decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis status post left knee replacement, finding that it is etiologically related to his period of active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis/posttraumatic arthritis, finding that the Veteran's parachute jumps in active duty likely caused or contributed to his current condition. The claim for a right knee meniscus disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a back disability due to deficiencies in the VA examination and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the lumbar spine condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending and will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The AOJ should provide another opportunity for the Veteran to attend the needed examinations and conduct additional development in conjunction with the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that a new VA medical opinion is needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, as the current opinion does not provide an adequate rationale or consider all relevant factors.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The conditions are deemed to have been incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, which is granted as special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's claim of increased rating for left knee condition and service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder are both remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development due to errors in the previous rating decision, including an inadequate VA examination and mischaracterization of a private physical therapy record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substantive appeal was timely filed, granting his claims for service connection and increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability is remanded for further development to determine if it was caused or aggravated by service, specifically ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for depression is granted. The Board also remands the issues of rating for left knee disability, service connection for right knee condition, and TDIU.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as moot due to a recent grant in an April 2022 rating decision. Service connection was granted for hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic kidney disease, and PTSD was rated at 70 percent disabling. The appeals for melanoma, lumbar degenerative arthritis, and hypothyroidism were also addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, is at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, medial and lateral meniscus tears, and anterior cruciate ligament tear, finding that these conditions are related to a left knee injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 21, 2016 to April 26, 2021. From April 26, 2021, the issue of entitlement to TDIU is moot as he is already in receipt of a combined schedular evaluation of 100 percent.