Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient development and consideration of evidence, including a lack of nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, left shoulder arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since February 22, 2016. The Board finds that the combined effect of these disabilities has precluded his ability to work.

Your appeal for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been dismissed because you died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and a compensable initial rating for service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions and further proceedings.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as he passed away before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, nerve disability, and acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD. The AOJ must review all new evidence added to the file since the January 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all listed conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right arm conditions, shoulder to elbow are granted. However, the claims for left and right arm conditions, elbow to wrist are denied as they are not separate disabilities from his already service-connected bilateral elbow epicondylitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for right carpal tunnel syndrome, but the increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the right hand remains denied. The claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) secondary to PTSD, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, left ankle osteoarthritis, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss as they were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to their service-connected left foot hallux valgus.,Service connection for a back disorder is denied.,Service connection for migraines is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral elbow disorder is denied.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a 10% rating prior to October 3, 2019.,The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a 10% rating from October 18, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection due to new evidence added to the record.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each, effective July 18, 2013. The Board has granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal because the Veteran did not file a proper Notice of Disagreement (NOD) using the correct form, VA Form 21-0958, and thus failed to comply with the procedural requirements for initiating an appeal under the legacy appeals system.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to new and material evidence having been submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left shoulder disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.