Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis, left ankle disability, and left hamstring disability.,There was no evidence of a left knee or left ankle disability during service. The Veteran was not diagnosed with these conditions until decades after his discharge from active service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was found to have a limitation of extension to at least 15 degrees throughout the period on appeal, and he is now entitled to an initial disability rating of 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disabilities. The claim will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and respiratory disability (COPD) based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and subsequent symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left foot degenerative arthritis, as well as the TDIU claim prior to December 4, 2014, are being remanded due to a need for additional medical examination.,The SMC claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically his in-service complaints and diagnosis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff condition, right shoulder rotator cuff condition, and right wrist degenerative arthritis as no VA Form 10182 was submitted to appeal under the AMA framework.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of his shoulder disabilities has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess its current severity. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the rating claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the right knee disability and TDIU claims, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing VA records.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is directly related to service, and his low back disorder is presumed due to chronicity and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on functional loss due to pain or other factors, as well as lack of ankylosis, recurrent subluxation, or lateral instability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that referral to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service is warranted for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940, which includes his work history and reasons for unemployment. The Veteran should be provided another opportunity to complete this form.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with the effective date being January 1, 2015.,Total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from October 24, 2011 is granted. The effective date for TDIU is January 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's skeletal system, including service connection for various conditions. The claims are pending further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, as is a 100% rating for his service-connected back disability from May 7, 2007 to April 5, 2019. He also receives TDIU and aid and attendance special monthly compensation during this period.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including pain and instability, is rated at 30 percent effective September 10, 2014.