Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain substantially gainful employment during the periods of TDIU claims from July 29, 2013 to June 3, 2014, and from July 31, 2015 to October 18, 2016. From December 1, 2016 to March 1, 2017, the Veteran's combined disability rating was 90 percent, which rendered his TDIU claim moot due to the assignment of a 100 percent schedular rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in the November 2018 examination. The Veteran's low back disorder is being reviewed again, and a new opinion will be requested.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, status post left rotator cuff repair with partial tearing with degenerative changes and bursitis, sarcoidosis, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The cases are remanded due to new evidence received since the last final rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical neck disability is reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his current disabilities are related to service or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder, identified as osteoarthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury and resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's back disability and right wrist disability are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need to determine if there are neurological complications associated with these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm disability and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to lack of evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service connection for right knee injury and left knee injury residuals is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted with a rating of 10% effective June 26, 2014.

The Veteran's back disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, was not first manifested on active duty and is not shown to be the result of active service. The Board found no causal link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded both the DIC benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for the cause of death claims due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the appellant's contentions regarding timely diagnosis and treatment of the Veteran’s UTI, sepsis, and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, left leg condition (left tibia and/or fibula fracture), and sleep apnea due to incomplete development. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left foot condition, which was not previously evaluated. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right leg disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic kyphosis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral foot swelling, and left wrist disability.,There was no new evidence presented to reopen the claim for thoracic kyphosis.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left hip bursitis have been granted. The Veteran is also being remanded for additional examinations to determine proper rating levels, as well as for clarification on her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The remaining issues have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is now rated at 50 percent effective April 9, 2019. The Board found that his symptoms more closely approximated pronounced bilateral pes planus.