Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and osteoarthritis of multiple joints due to insufficient medical opinions and missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, migraine headaches, left knee osteoarthritis, and right toe disabilities, were found to be severe enough to prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment from July 28, 2014 to November 1, 2016.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and degenerative arthritis. The appeals for peripheral vascular diseases of the upper and lower extremities are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability including pes cavus, hallux valgus, and degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis, both of which began during active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected left and right knee degenerative arthritis disabilities as well as the service-connected bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues on appeal include increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of both knees and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left elbow and left-hand conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine traumatic arthritis and thoracolumbar spine chronic mechanical syndrome, left knee chondromalacia of the patella, right knee osteoarthritis to include ACL deficiency, and headaches as secondary to service-connected cervical spine traumatic arthritis.,The Veteran's diagnoses are supported by medical opinions linking his conditions to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and possible SSA records. The issues of increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU are all being addressed.

The Veteran's use of a wheelchair and forearm crutches for service-connected disabilities is granted as a clothing allowance for 2018. The use of a urine bag does not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to a right ankle disability, and increased ratings of 40 percent for cubital tunnel syndrome in the right arm and 30 percent for cubital tunnel syndrome in the left arm.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and hand/finger disability due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran contends his pre-existing conditions were aggravated by service, while VA records suggest other causes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and clarification regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions, specifically peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, as he testified that it has worsened.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lower lumbar spine is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence added to the record since the last SSOC.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip and left hip disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, which is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his knee disabilities.