Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and failure of the Veteran to appear for scheduled examinations. The Veteran is advised that she must cooperate with examination requests.

The Veteran's right foot degenerative arthritis is not service-connected.,His tinnitus was found to be related to noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and unspecified anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's joint pain is denied because it is caused by degenerative arthritis, not an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is granted as service connected. The right knee and respiratory disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at a 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and a 20 percent rating is granted as of September 15, 2022, for limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and pain medications, as well as an addendum opinion from VA's Director of Compensation and Pension Service addressing the Veteran's work history and education.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shin splints, as well as his initial evaluations for obstructive sleep apnea and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and corroborating in-service stressors.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service connected due to continuous symptoms since service. The peripheral nerve disability of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to the service-connected low back condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine with IVDS and Pars Defect with Anterolisthesis of L5-L1 (spine disorder), right lower extremity sciatic nerve disability, right lower extremity femoral nerve disability, left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability, and left lower extremity femoral nerve disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intrinsically intertwined with the other issues on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for femoral acetabular impingement syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the left hip as secondary to his service-connected left ankle condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea and various orthopedic conditions. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the nature and etiology of a sleep disorder, as well as to clarify whether any increased ratings for certain knee and hip conditions are warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome, complete rotator cuff tear, glenohumeral arthritis, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis. The Board also granted service connection for right knee disorder including right meniscus and ACL tear, instability, osteoarthritis, and chondromalacia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right little finger disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left hip disability have been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is granted a 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's left knee condition is granted a 60 percent rating prior to April 20, 2023. A higher rating of in excess of 60 percent from that date is denied.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative arthritis with right radiculopathy (lower back condition), and bilateral hearing loss have been granted service connection. The carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his active duty duties as a hull maintenance technician and damage controlman. The degenerative arthritis with right radiculopathy is presumed due to the Veteran's in-service injury, while the bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of hearing loss during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thyroid cancer and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, bulging discs, status-post surgical residuals due to incomplete records and insufficient nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected and if it is aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer and PTSD.