Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis and strain residuals is being remanded due to a lack of adequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination, and no specific rating assigned or effective date provided.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition and a back condition, finding that the conditions are not related to service or service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's testimony indicated his neck and back conditions were caused by compensating with his right hand due to left-hand injuries. However, VA examiners concluded these conditions are unrelated to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's scars of the wrists, knees, and left shoulder were not found to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's hip and shoulder conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations, with some granted ratings for specific issues.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection, while the claim for inguinal hernia is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for sleep disability, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any event during service.

The Board has found that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's ball of the right foot disability, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and osteoarthritis of the right hip. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has found that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, which may be secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The examiner will assess whether obesity acts as an intermediate step connecting his obstructive sleep apnea to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion are inadequate for adjudication purposes, and thus remands the case to obtain a new medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's claimed degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The examiner is asked to consider whether this condition is related to service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's claims, including those for service connection and rating determinations.

The Veteran's back condition has worsened since his last examination in 2018, and a new examination is required to determine the current severity of his back condition. The examiner must account for functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left foot plantar fasciitis and secondary service connection for bilateral pes planus and left foot degenerative arthritis due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spondylosis and denied service connection for a left ankle disorder. The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent, while his left ankle disorder was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and left knee disorder have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board denied service connection for right and left hip disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current hip conditions are not related to his military service.,A TDIU claim prior to December 21, 2021, is moot due to the grant of a total (100 percent) rating for major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and right ankle osteoarthritis have been granted service connection. The appeals for the right and left knee disabilities were withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's neck, bilateral upper extremities, and bilateral lower extremities disabilities are granted as direct service connection due to continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board found that the reduction of the left knee disability rating from 30 percent to 20 percent was proper and denied restoration of the 30 percent rating.