Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has ordered a remand to ensure substantial compliance with the March 2022 Board remand instructions, specifically regarding the Veteran's reported flare-ups and functional loss due to pain during range of motion testing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination that complies with previous Board directives.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, both status post arthroplasty, were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis and a medial meniscus tear of the right knee, finding that these conditions were caused by the Veteran's service-connected left knee, left hip, and right foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical DDD and degenerative arthritis, as well as OSA, for further development to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for aching of muscles, bones, and joints as due to in-service exposure to herbicides is remanded. The Board finds that an addendum opinion is needed to address the nature and etiology of his diagnosed conditions, including pain-related disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteochondral lesions of the left and right knees, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

Your right knee disability has been granted service connection, but the appeal for a higher rating is dismissed as there are no further issues in dispute.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition is granted, and he is now rated at 60 percent for his respiratory disability. The TDIU claim is also granted due to the combined effect of multiple disabilities. The claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for the respiratory disability and for service connection for NHL are withdrawn.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, and sinusitis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including osteoarthritis and radiculopathy, is related to an in-service fall. The Board has determined that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal of the rating assigned for genital herpes comes before the Board on appeal from an August 2015 rating decision that adjudicated a June 2015 increased rating claim. The effective date for the 60 percent rating is granted as of June 16, 2015.,The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue and involuntary leg and arm movements during sleep are remanded due to inadequate opinions provided by VA.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees due to a lack of medical evidence addressing the Veteran's assertions regarding her knee pain during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral foot conditions, did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 18, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and right ankle disabilities due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives, as well as deficiencies in medical opinions provided.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder AC joint arthrosis and tendinitis, and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran's hearing loss is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with Baker's cyst and meniscal tear is rated at 30 percent since September 12, 2012. The rating for limitation of extension was denied from February 22, 2023 to present. A temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence following right knee surgery has been granted multiple times. TDIU is granted effective July 13, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and right hip and left hip osteoarthritis, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected back and heart disabilities from August 25, 2014, to March 21, 2016.