Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by chondromalacia patella and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the pain causing functional impairment warrants a 10 percent rating but not higher.

The Veteran's breathing problems, left knee condition, and right knee condition are being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine their relationship to service.,Service connection for hearing loss is also being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's right ankle disability, and thus remands the case for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination to assess his lumbar spine condition and for research into his exposure to herbicide agents. The diabetes mellitus claim is also remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and a separate rating for his TBI due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his back disorder and the nature and severity of his TBI.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a generalized arthritis disorder and degenerative arthritis of the hips, knees, ankles and left shoulder to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine sacroiliitis due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis are granted service connection.,Prior to November 8, 2021, the rating for onychomycosis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and various musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 20, 2011, to February 1, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow condition, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have continuity of symptomatology and that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection was granted for a right hand ganglion cyst.,Service connection was not established for the remaining conditions: right hand disability other than ganglion cyst, left hand disability, and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding VA medical records. The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are being evaluated, as is his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disability, hypertension, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his active service.,Service connection was also granted for SVT, with the presumption of soundness rebutted by clear and unmistakable evidence showing that the condition was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea (OSA) is due to or aggravated by his service-connected fibromyalgia.,Service connection for OSA as secondary to fibromyalgia has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right ankle disability and low back disability due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's low back disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran's PFB has been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's right hip joint replacement is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The issue of an evaluation greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee prior to May 13, 2019 and service connection for osteoarthritis of the right ankle are both remanded.

The appeal for an increased rating for left knee injury with osteoarthritis is dismissed due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination findings and the Veteran's assertion of knee instability. Additional examinations are needed, along with any relevant treatment records.