Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle and right heel disabilities are found to have caused or contributed to his lumbar spine disabilities. His right hip disability is also found to be related to his active-duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar strain, left knee internal derangement of medial meniscus, left knee osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease, right knee internal derangement of medial meniscus, and right knee osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease due to new evidence from his Reserve service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his cervical spine and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle, left knee, and right knee conditions have been rated at 10 percent each. The Veteran's right middle finger condition has also been rated at 10 percent.,All claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his left knee, coccyx injury, right foot disability, left foot disability, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood and insomnia due to new evidence or further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for menstrual disorders.,Most of the Veteran's claims are remanded due to incomplete information about her periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDURA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from July 25, 2011 to October 3, 2018. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether he was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's asthma and right shoulder osteoarthritis are granted as service connected due to exposure to burn pits during military service, with the PACT Act providing presumptive service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, finding that they are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 28, 2022. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is at least as likely as not related to in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The cases for bilateral hearing loss, lung condition, and eczema are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to a lack of proper notification for an examination, as well as the need to address the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a posthumous addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding the Veteran's right hip and thigh disabilities. The examiner is requested to opine on functional limitations caused by flare-ups and repetitive use over time.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis in the bilateral fingers, other than right little finger and for an undiagnosed illness (claimed as fatigue). Service connection was also denied for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders. The Veteran's claims were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted a 40 percent rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine from August 4, 2021 to July 24, 2022.,The Veteran's application for TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral syndrome, as well as obstructive sleep apnea. The decision is based on the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and reduction of disability ratings for bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine disability is remanded. Additionally, the TDIU issue is also remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.