Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The appeal for service connection and rating of the Veteran's back, right knee, and left eye disabilities is remanded due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The temporary total evaluation claim will be addressed after resolving the service connection issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The effective dates of the granted benefits are specified.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted.,Service connection for a back disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to military service.,Headaches are not rated higher than zero percent, as they do not meet criteria for more severe ratings based on frequency and severity.,Right knee osteoarthritis prior to July 24, 2015 is granted a staged initial rating of 10 percent.,Right knee osteoarthritis from July 24, 2015 onwards is denied as the current symptoms do not warrant higher ratings based on severity and limitation of motion.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for compensable ratings.,Sinusitis is not rated higher than zero percent due to lack of evidence of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's employability and non-service-connected disabilities. The VA must schedule an examination to assess the severity and permanency of all his disabilities, including their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for rating higher than 10 percent for right and left knee disabilities due to lack of clarity in the September 2018 examination report regarding whether the Veteran was wearing braces during his evaluation. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated VA treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for obesity, diabetes mellitus type II, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and osteoarthritis (including of the bilateral hands, right knee, right hip, left shoulder, and neck), all claimed as secondary to service-connected cognitive disorder. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation in the medical opinion regarding the service connection for right (major) shoulder degenerative arthritis, status post-arthroscopy x 3.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all appeals regarding his diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction and osteoarthritis and chronic ACL tear of the right knee. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for increased ratings and effective dates have also been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical DDD with radiculopathy and scoliosis, right arm radiculopathy, and left arm radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that his death was not caused or contributed substantially to by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for insomnia disorder has been granted at a 30 percent level. Other issues remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,No effective date earlier than August 17, 2011 has been granted for the grant of noncompensable evaluations for right and left knee limitation of extension.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and arthritis as secondary to degenerative arthritis, right knee. The claims are granted.

The Board has restored a 50 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the right hip, status post arthroplasty from August 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, particularly its relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder osteoarthritis, and CAD, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during active duty.