Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability prior to July 21, 2014. An addendum VA opinion is needed to estimate the degree of range of motion loss during flare-ups or repetitive use over time.

The Board has determined that service connection for hypertension is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of hypertension in the record.,The nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back condition to include degenerative arthritis of the spine with sciatica, and headaches to include tension headaches and as secondary to service connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus (claimed as migraine headaches) are unclear due to insufficient medical examination. The Veteran must be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination.,The Board has determined that service connection for headaches is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of a chronic condition in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the May 2022 VA examination report. The examiner was asked to provide opinions on whether the claimed disabilities are related to service, including cold weather exposure.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and TDIU as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to incomplete opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, back disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to increased ratings for low back and neck disabilities, but denied an earlier effective date for TMJD service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted as secondary to service-connected dorsolumbar strain. The thoracolumbar strain disability, already service connected, is also granted. Service connection for migraine headaches is granted based on their relationship to the service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his service-connected disabilities in determining whether he is unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability due to incomplete development and need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain Social Security Administration records relevant to the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee joint osteoarthritis due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and pain, but has remanded the issue due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and lack of consideration of the full appeal period. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 regarding his employment history.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis has been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities may be related to her active-duty service, but more evidence is needed for a definitive determination.