Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right hip disability, including strain and osteoarthritis, is being remanded for further evaluation due to unclear functional loss associated with the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right cerebellar stroke is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's headaches, migraine and tension are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination to determine if he has loss of use of his upper or lower extremities, which would be required for SMC(r)(1) entitlement. The current VA examination was deemed inadequate and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left foot disability and arthritis, including a lack of medical records from his employment with the railroad. The Veteran is also receiving a 'disability annuity' from the railroad.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disorder is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis as of February 1, 2010.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for right upper extremity brachioplexus neuropathy was denied, as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.,For the period from September 21, 2017 to present, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her right shoulder disability was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left hip disabilities are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the onset of right shoulder disability during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees due to inadequate examination reports, failure to adhere to instructions, and internal inconsistency in opinions.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for allergic rhinitis and left shoulder osteoarthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating prior to April 12, 2018, or a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine the current severity of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's right hip and thigh range of motion. The TDIU claim from January 1, 2015 to October 1, 2017 is also referred to the Director, Compensation Service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected right knee meniscal tear with chondromalacia.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including strain and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for the degenerative arthritis is granted.

The Veteran's AC DJD of the right shoulder was rated at 20 percent prior to June 16, 2016 and at 30 percent since that date. The claims for higher ratings are being remanded.,His recurrent corneal erosion syndrome is not compensable.

The Board has denied service connection for lack of full use of the right hand and remanded the issue of service connection for lack of sight in the right eye due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the legacy appeal system. The issues remain as part of the pending appeals under the Legacy Appeals System.