Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU, but his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, sciatic and femoral radiculopathy in both lower extremities, and TDIU/SMC claims are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is related to service and granted.,The Veteran's tinnitus is related to service and granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, high blood pressure, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (previously rated as thoracic scoliosis) was denied. The Veteran received a 10 percent rating for his high blood pressure effective October 24, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the current disabilities are not related to military service.,Service connection was also denied for residuals of a right wrist burn due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of left knee, left ankle, degenerative arthritis left shoulder, and degenerative arthritis right shoulder conditions. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is also REMANDED.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis is granted, related to an in-service back injury.

The Veteran's left foot injury and degenerative arthritis are rated at a 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5284, but no separate rating is granted for the degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder is reopened, and the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for his right knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has not been precluded from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no disability rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his knee disabilities and GERD. The Board finds no need to assign a rating or effective date at this time.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as incurred in service.,Other claims for service connection are either remanded or reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date earlier than November 29, 2017 and increased ratings for right shoulder disabilities and left index finger partial amputation due to new evidence and need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions and new evidence may be needed. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but the issues of service connection for cervical and left hip disabilities are remanded due to lack of updated medical records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes osteoarthritis with a meniscal tear, is rated at 20 percent since August 27, 2020. Her right knee osteoarthritis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder osteoarthritis, as well as service connection for neck disability. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthrosis and meniscal tear, as well as a compensable rating prior to August 22, 2011, for lumbar spine arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Additional medical opinions are required to address the Veteran's current level of disability and whether there were any periods before August 22, 2011, when he was entitled to a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion on the features and severity of his right knee disability from September 28, 2010.