Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities alone did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee strain, limited flexion of the right knee, IVDS in the lumbar spine, and right shoulder strain. The case will be returned to the RO for readjudication based on all relevant evidence received since the March 2021 Board hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The claims for residuals of a trapezius muscle injury, right-shoulder degenerative joint disease, and left-eye retinopathy are remanded due to outstanding records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of arthritis in service or within one year after service. The Board also found that the current diagnosis is not related to his service, including a fall during National Guard service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on his left shoulder and knee disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of higher initial ratings for limitation of flexion, extension, and instability of the left knee.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and a bilateral foot disability due to lack of evidence showing chronic in-service symptoms or continuous since service separation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (back disorder) is denied. The Board found that from October 2, 2017, the criteria for a higher initial disability rating have not been met or more nearly approximated.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee conditions, to include osteoarthritis. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, combined with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Effective January 10, 2021, he is granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee conditions as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The Veteran's obesity is also considered an intermediate step in this causal chain.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as back condition) has also been granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left knee disability have been granted. The specific diagnoses include degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and left knee disability, respectively.

Service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain has been granted.,Service connection for bilateral hip iliopsoas tendonitis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and left elbow condition have been granted. Service connection for right shoulder condition is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip and knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right hip and left hip disabilities, diabetes, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently receiving a 20% rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain service treatment records and VA clinical documentation, as well as a VA examination for his left fifth finger fracture residuals.

The Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation and to obtain any outstanding private treatment records. He must also be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The appeal is granted to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back condition. The earlier effective date for tinnitus remains denied as no new evidence was submitted within one year after service separation.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from April 24, 2009 to February 11, 2013, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment during this period.