Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU from July 23, 2012 to October 7, 2014 is remanded due to the incorrect referral of evidence and lack of substantial compliance with the Board's previous remand.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations, which is considered non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected.,There is no clear and unmistakable evidence provided by VA to show that the Veteran's right hand or left hand osteoarthritis were aggravated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in effective dates and rating determinations, requiring further development of claims for service connection for left knee disability and increased ratings for right fibula fracture and its residuals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for his eye disorder, anxiety, or depression as separate disabilities from PTSD. The back, elbow, and right leg conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding his back pain and because an addendum opinion is needed from the VA examiner.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right foot, and left foot disabilities as they are not shown to be directly related to active duty or secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and increased ratings for his spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development of records and need for an opinion regarding the severity of his service-connected conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 1, 2011. The Board granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examinations in the prior rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine began during service and is related to his in-service neck strain. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder with anxious distress and migraine headaches, prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU effective December 29, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's heart condition is not related to service, but her bilateral knee conditions are found to be due to in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis, finding that it began during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nerve disability remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disorders, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to August 28, 2017. Additional evidence was submitted since the last SSOC but not previously considered by the AOJ.