Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected adjustment disorder with major depressive disorder associated with right knee strain and/or weight gain due to inability to exercise due to chronic pain caused by his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 19, 2019 are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the competency of a VA examiner.,The Veteran's claims for disability ratings in excess of those granted are also remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the competency of a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations that consider his flare-ups of knee pain and current back condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine is denied as there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.,Service connection for OSA was not granted because the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition during service and there is no medical nexus between his current condition and his service-connected PTSD. The Board also found that obesity, which may be related to his anxiety disorder, does not cause his sleep apnea.,The claim for generalized anxiety disorder remains pending as the Board could not determine if the Veteran's in-service events caused his current condition due to a lack of information from Federal records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and ratings for radiculopathy of his lower extremities, as well as a claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome remains denied.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of June 21, 2018 for the Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (neuritis), finding that these conditions were secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities of degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with spinal fusion and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, is denied because the evidence does not support a finding that obesity (an intermediate step) was caused or aggravated by these service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is related to service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the condition had its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral bunion disability and first metatarsophalangeal joint degenerative arthritis has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his disabilities. The AOJ will consider any evidence not previously considered in adjudicating these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic left hip strain with limitation of flexion and osteoarthritis, chronic left hip strain with limitation of extension and osteoarthritis, and chronic left hip strain with thigh impairment and osteoarthritis have been granted effective October 30, 2020. The Board has also remanded the increased evaluation claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, left and right hip strains, left and right knee conditions, and tinnitus have been granted. The Veteran is also assigned a 10 percent rating for each of the affected limbs.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine (back disability), right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability have been dismissed as they were previously denied in a January 2015 rating decision. The Veteran did not dispute or appeal these decisions.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral tinnitus has been denied because the evidence does not show that his current tinnitus is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and strain, are at least as likely as not related to his service. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee degenerative arthritis with ACL insufficiency and medial meniscus tear was denied.,Service connection for PTSD, psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, TBI, and tinnitus were all denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis and osteoarthritis was denied, but he received a separate 20% rating for his meniscus tear with tendinopathy. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in the decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been granted service connection.,A TDIU before December 6, 2018, is still pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is related to his active service and he has been granted service connection for this condition. The other issues, including bilateral hearing loss and skin conditions, are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and hypertension, finding that additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and provide an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions. The issues remain on appeal as the PACT Act of 2022 does not apply to all periods of the Veteran's claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 3, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.