Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for left hand, elbow, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome with osteoarthritis, and wrist scapholunate injury. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active service.,The Board also denied service connection for right elbow and right hand osteoarthritis.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation for regular aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, bowel incontinence, degenerative arthritis of the spine with degenerative disc disease thoracic spine and lumbar disc disease status post fusion, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), status post total right knee replacement, chondromalacia patella left knee with arthrotomy and osteoarthritis (limitation of extension), chondromalacia patella left knee with arthrotomy and osteoarthritis (instability), right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), right knee scars, left knee scar, female sexual arousal disorder, surgical scar of the neck area, surgical scar of the anterior trunk, and surgical scars of the lumbar spine.

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

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted. The effective date is not specified as it is a grant of benefits.

The Veteran's back disability, including associated sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathies, is rated at 40 percent since December 14, 2021. The rating for the back disability remains granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the remaining issues related to polyarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle strain with osteoarthritis and remanded the other issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain updated medical opinions and examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as for the claims of hypertension, gastroduodenitis, diverticulitis, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded both claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back and a left knee disorder, as they are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of evidence not yet considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims in writing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, finding that his current back disability is related to his in-service complaints.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted as there is at least equipoise evidence that his symptoms began during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been denied. The Veteran was previously granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS effective October 8, 2021.

The claim for service connection for a low back disability, including right sacroiliac joint degenerative joint disease, has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for recurrent sleep disability, to include obstructive sleep apnea, is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for heart disorder, lung disorder (COPD), and left shoulder disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left foot condition is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected ankle and knee disabilities. The case will be sent back for further examination and opinion.