Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar disability, but has remanded the issues of ratings for shin splints and pes planus, as well as TDIU.

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

The Veteran's increased rating claims for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right knee DJD have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee anserine bursitis with osteoarthritis, status post arthroscopy and debridement; left and right stress fractures of the tibia with mild arthritis; and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are currently on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and its relationship to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, but dismissed all other claims of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination report, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for shoulder disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the shoulder condition, as there was no limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. For the hearing loss claim, the evidence did not establish continuity of symptomatology or show it manifested within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran withdrew their claims for increased ratings related to right knee conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and headache disability has been granted. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is considered to be directly related to his military service, while the headache disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate statement of reasons and bases, failure to obtain relevant SSA records, and need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his right knee conditions and restored his original ratings for left knee strain and instability.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as the evidence does not show she was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted TDIU and remanded the issue of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to insufficient evidence linking his homicide to any service-connected condition or contributing substantially to his death.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral hip disability, as well as whether it is related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30% from March 31, 2022. The Board denied higher ratings for the periods prior to and after this date.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical condition, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, IVDS of the cervical spine, right upper extremity neuralgia, left upper extremity neuralgia, right upper extremity neuritis, and left upper extremity neuritis as secondary to a cervical condition.,Effective December 1, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected right knee flexion was rated at 10 percent. From November 21, 2016 to March 24, 2018, it was rated at 30 percent. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip disability other than degenerative arthritis, specifically avascular necrosis (AVN).