Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the August 2021 Board remand and has ordered further action to be taken on the appeals for higher ratings for service-connected ankle, knee, and hip disabilities. The AOJ is required to review the expanded record, including private examinations submitted by the Veteran's representative in December 2020, and any additional audiograms obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee, ankle, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities and a TDIU. The Board has remanded these matters due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right elbow disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for bilateral knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and instability of the right knee, are denied as his range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate information provided in a previous VA examination regarding pain on range of motion testing for cervical spine osteoarthritis. The Veteran's disability rating remains under appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis as secondary to intervertebral disc syndrome, and also denied increased ratings for IVDS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity disabilities, including wrist, forearm, humerus, elbow, and shoulder conditions, all of which were deemed secondary to his service-connected right thumb disability. The evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service or the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability, including tenosynovitis, degenerative arthritis, and total hip replacement, is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence is in relative equipoise on this issue.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TDIU and disability ratings for ankle and knee conditions. The Veteran is required to provide tax returns from 2008-2009 and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's generalized body aches with tender points, bilateral pes planus disability, and degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are all granted as service connected.