Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, a right knee disability, and a right foot disability. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted. The claim for service connection for a cardiac disability remains pending as the Veteran failed to appear for a VA examination.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right third finger, fifth finger, and thumb have been granted a disability rating of 10 percent each.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA medical examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability, including any additional functional loss caused by repeated use over time and flare-ups.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the back disability claim.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was denied. The initial rating prior to September 10, 2021, is still denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A rating in excess of 20 percent on or after September 10, 2021, is also denied due to lack of evidence showing forward flexion of the cervical spine at 15 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee instability and left knee strain with osteoarthritis and patellofemoral chondromalacia due to inadequate retrospective opinions regarding flare-ups and consideration of pain on both active and passive motion, in weightbearing and non-weightbearing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and low back disability, finding no evidence of direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied, and the Board found that no earlier effective dates could be granted.,Issues related to asthma, COPD, heart condition, hemorrhoids, peripheral neuropathy, wrist condition, thumb fracture, lower extremity radiculopathy, upper extremity radiculopathy, forearm/elbow condition, and other conditions were also remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection and initial disability ratings are not warranted prior to June 12, 2007 or July 6, 2007. The claims have been REMANDED for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA opinion on the Veteran's bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to January 19, 2011. The Board found insufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative arthritis, as well as left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and rotator cuff tear residuals, based on the Veteran's in-service lifting injuries and resulting chronic conditions.

The Veteran's knee and shoulder conditions have been evaluated based on their current functional impairment, with no indication of service connection for any specific exposure or condition.,No new evidence has reopened the claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to issues related to the appellant's discharge and service connection claims. The specific issue of whether his character of discharge constitutes a bar to VA compensation benefits is also being addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder, finding that it began during his active military service and is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral ear disorder, right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to insufficient examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's claim and for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's claim for VA disability benefits related to a low back disability is remanded due to the need for additional service treatment records and an opinion regarding whether her current condition is related to her active duty special work in June 1989.