Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to February 11, 2022, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Pes Planus, Hallux Valgus, and Degenerative Arthritis, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence related to the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a history of meniscectomy, is rated at 10 percent prior to August 19, 2022. A separate rating for symptomatic residuals from the meniscectomy was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities and an increased rating for his cervical spine disability. The decision also granted a TDIU from November 1, 2011, but no earlier.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred a left shoulder disability in service, but the VA examiner found no direct link between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative of lumbar intervertebral disc and arthropathy of lumbar facet joint was rated at 20 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, and for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis. The issues have been remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis with instability is granted a 10 percent rating, effective from May 5, 2016. Other claims are denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees and hips, but has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection for hypertension is granted due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. Other service connection claims are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service and does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis right elbow and impairment of supination and/or pronation, right elbow were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show more than a 20 percent limitation of motion in either case.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back disability was granted, but only up to a 20 percent rating prior to February 7, 2020. The appeal for a higher rating is dismissed as the Veteran expressed satisfaction with this rating and indicated it was appropriate.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the September 2021 remand directives and finds another remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings for his bilateral shoulder and neck disabilities, as well as his left and right knee disabilities. The appeals are now pending with the VA Regional Office.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral degenerative arthritis of the AC joint is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 8, 2022.

The Board has restored the 20 percent rating for cervical spine disability from January 5, 2021 to February 28, 2021. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to procedural issues.