Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right shoulder, left shoulder, and thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in August 2021. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions prior to decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the November 2020 VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The examiner must provide a rationale for their conclusions and consider both service treatment records and the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability as it was not found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and a heart disability due to service. The claims are being reviewed because of potential errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and VA examinations, as well as the need for an opinion on whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected back disability or contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's right knee arthroplasty is being remanded due to a pre-decisional error in the February 2022 decision, specifically regarding the determination of whether his osteoarthritis was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression), allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, neck disability, colostomy, diverticulosis, bilateral foot condition, heart disability, hemorrhoids, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, back disability, colon polyps, prostate disability, and vertigo were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a causal relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is at least as likely as not related to her service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis and spinal fusion was denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU were granted effective February 25, 2021.,PTSD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU were all granted effective February 25, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative osteoarthritis and somatic symptom disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 21, 2014, for service connection were denied.,Effective date of August 21, 2014 was granted for the award of service connection.

The Veteran's back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The Veteran's vertigo is remanded for further review due to insufficient evidence. Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder) is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are found to be the cause of his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and neurogenic bladder. Service connection is granted for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions and further development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to perform daily activities of living without the assistance of another, and he meets the requirements for aid and attendance from another. As a result, his claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of evidence and an inadequate VA examination, which may affect the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the back, intervertebral disc syndrome, left central disc protrusion and disc bulge at T7 through T11, right ear hearing loss disability, anxiety disorder, right hip disability, and left hip disability have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his obesity, which in turn is due to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine, degenerative disc and joint disease; residuals of right ACL instability; right hip strain with osteoarthritis; left knee degenerative arthritis; right knee instability; and right tibial stress fracture. The Board has granted the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine, right and left knee conditions, migraines, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo with dizziness and staggering, urinary dysfunction, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's statements and medical opinions supported these findings.

The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The Board has denied a higher rating for this condition as it is not available under applicable regulations. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating since November 2, 2015 meets the percentage requirements and he is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right and left lower radiculopathy caused his obesity, which in turn led to obstructive sleep apnea. The Board granted entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.