Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and right hip disorders due to outstanding private medical records needing to be obtained, new VA examinations needed, and a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right knee tricompartmental osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum under DC 5010. The Board has remanded for further development regarding other issues including a compensable evaluation for arthritis with limitation of extension and an increased rating for ACL and MMT repair.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a breathing condition, low back disability, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left knee osteoarthritis did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 15, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for left thumb tendinosis, lower back degenerative arthritis, and bilateral sciatic radiculopathy. The conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The cases for increased disability evaluations and service connection for right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and degenerative arthritis are granted, with the latter being decided on the merits due to new evidence received since the final rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of osteoarthritis, right knee, finding that there is no evidence to show treatment for right knee symptoms during active-duty service and no arthritis shown within one year after separation from service.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of both first carpel metacarpal joints and right knee condition due to potential in-service causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the feet secondary to service connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, service connection for vertigo, including dizziness and giddiness, secondary to service connected migraine headaches and/or tinnitus, and service connection for a traumatic brain injury are all remanded.,The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated based on the evidence provided during the hearing and any additional records obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of left ring finger fracture and left hand Dupuytren's nodule have been granted, with a 10% rating assigned in each case.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee condition and its relationship to his service-connected left knee condition. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis have been rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The Board found that his current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle osteoarthritis and tendonitis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service due to joint impact sustained while driving high speed boats during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee, back, and hip disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for tension headaches (claimed as migraine) and lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total rating due to back surgery, as they are inextricably intertwined. An additional medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's current spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the service connection for a right hand injury, including osteoarthritis as secondary to PTSD. The Board dismissed this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence supports a link to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee degenerative arthritis have been granted service connection. Service connection for the right upper extremity (carpal tunnel syndrome) and left upper extremity (carpal tunnel syndrome) neurological disabilities is also granted.