Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability and granted TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities, finding that his combined effects rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee replacement, status post osteoarthritis, is secondary to his service-connected residuals of right great toe fracture and/or service-connected right knee replacement, status post osteoarthritis. The issue of entitlement to service connection for painful scars, as secondary to left knee replacement, remains remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected hip disabilities and right ankle disability have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for back problems and left knee degenerative joint disease (claimed as knee problem) due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees, as well as his right shoulder osteoarthritis with replacement, were denied. The rating decisions maintained existing disability evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to insufficient consideration of her reports of symptoms in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right hip and knee disabilities due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's right hip disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper, as there is evidence demonstrating an improvement in his condition and it reflects an improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, left knee condition, and degenerative arthritis of the spine (back condition). The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to his military service.,There was no direct evidence linking the Veteran’s current disabilities to his service. However, the Board found that the Veteran had complaints of knee pain during service and after discharge, which led to a thorough review of medical records and opinions from VA and private physicians.

The Veteran's TDIU is denied as his date of entitlement to a schedular TDIU is March 31, 2018. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the economic component of a TDIU prior to March 30, 2018.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of right knee joint osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected left foot drop.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left foot disabilities, as well as a skin disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in or are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and will be considered on the merits. The Board is unable to make a fully-informed decision without additional medical evidence regarding whether his current psychiatric condition is related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no current disability in either ear, and any pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since October 7, 2019. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's right hand swelling and right knee condition are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding no evidence of a current disability in service or within one year after separation from service. The Board also found that any arthritis is not related to an in-service boxing injury and concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and compliance with VA examination requirements.