Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee conditions, left knee conditions, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition due to insufficient medical opinions in the initial decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in addressing the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's right knee disability and whether she is entitled to a separate compensable rating for right knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for joint pain, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability prior to September 10, 2020 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability and noted that the Veteran had been granted service connection for this condition in March 2020 with an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee osteoarthritis are found to be at least in equipoise with causing or aggravating his sleep apnea. As a result, the Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the left and right hands have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected disabilities. Her bilateral pes planus is rated at 50 percent, effective April 23, 2007. The right knee limitation of flexion is granted but no higher than noncompensable. The rating for right knee osteoarthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate statements of reasons and bases, failure to address certain evidence, and need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee impairment.

The Board granted service connection for several disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the right and left foot, cervical strain, degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left shoulder strain, left elbow strain, peripheral neuropathy of both upper and lower extremities. However, it denied service connection for a respiratory disability, an eye disability, and a gynecological disability.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with panic attacks.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to service-connected left shoulder AC joint degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's pulmonary disorder (asthma and pulmonary diffusion defect) is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with panic attacks.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, but denied his claims for left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right elbow disability is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for intervertebral disc syndrome, left hip osteoarthritis, right knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, and headaches have been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU based solely on his major depressive disorder is granted.,The reduction of the Veteran's rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from 40% to 20%, effective January 9, 2018, was improper and has been restored.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right hip degenerative arthritis, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected hallux rigidus with osteoarthritis in left big toe. The VA must obtain adequate opinions addressing both theories of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected myositis. His fibromyalgia and obstructive sleep apnea are denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or an in-service injury, and concluded that the Veteran is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The appeal regarding the timeliness of the January 2020 VA Form 9 is dismissed. The claims for increased evaluations are remanded.