Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further action, including service connection for a ruptured left quadriceps tendon. The initial ratings for left and right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis remain denied as they do not meet the criteria for increased ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, as there was insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 25, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, and insomnia disorder), but denied service connection for hypertension, eczema, and a low back disability. The decision is based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent for osteoarthritis and a separate rating of 10 percent for instability from October 1, 2018 to January 24, 2022. The Board has remanded the case due to issues with his right knee instability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease and IVDS of the cervical spine, as well as right trapezius strain with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis. The appeal for a right eye or vision disability and bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, was denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to April 13, 2017, and a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was denied an initial compensable rating prior to December 30, 2019.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability due to inadequate medical opinion and need for further development.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to service connection for COPD, back injury, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision is pending further clarification from a medical opinion regarding the nature of any congenital conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his line of duty injury during his second period of active duty training. Service connection was denied for a torn meniscus and pre-existing ACL and meniscal tears.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of PTSD, Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine, and Left Forearm Disability due to the need for updated evaluations of their severity levels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, as well as lumbar degenerative arthritis of the spine. The conditions are considered to have had their onset in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability and if so, whether it qualifies for a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle disability, finding no evidence that his current condition began during or is related to his period of service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cancer, Hodgkin's Disease is remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination to support his claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination to support his claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded as he has not been afforded a VA examination to support his claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lower back condition. The VA will need to conduct additional development and provide a proper etiological opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma and COPD, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and right knee instability, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 3, 2016. The Board granted the TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lower back disorder is secondary to his service-connected left rhomboid muscle strain.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of bilateral knee disability due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee disabilities.