Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability requires further examination and review due to inconsistencies in the April 2018 VA examination report. The issues of increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis, temporary total rating for a right knee replacement, and TDIU are all remanded.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, which include degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, tinnitus, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, left sciatic radiculopathy, reactive airway disease, a right knee baker's cyst, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, left inguinal herniorrhaphy, and chronic maxillary sinusitis. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for eligibility to individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for both knee osteoarthritis and obstructive sleep apnea are inadequate, and thus remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran was found not to have current left ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and his employment as a service technician was considered in determining that he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by a brace he uses for his service-connected left knee disability. The Board has granted payment of a clothing allowance for the calendar year 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred in service and are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current diagnosis of osteoarthritis is related to in-service back pain and that there is continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for cold weather injury residuals and left foot disability, requiring further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and left knee patellofemoral syndrome (including osteoarthritis), finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right lateral/medial epicondylitis and hyperlipidemia was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for PTSD, thoracolumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle sprain, cervical spine strain, right shoulder sprain, right shin splints, left shin splints, hemorrhoids, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome was denied. The Veteran's PTSD disability rating prior to September 27, 2012 was also denied.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The TDIU claim for the period prior to September 30, 2015 was denied as the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee condition, including moderate osteoarthritis, knee effusion, and partial tear of medial collateral ligament, is etiologically related to his military service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left clubfoot and ankle osteoarthritis were noted at service entry. The MEB found that the condition had been permanently aggravated by service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, finding that it is related to a left ankle injury sustained during service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, finding that it is related to a left ankle injury sustained during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence on whether the Veteran's osteoarthritis is related to his military service or any other conditions he currently has.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, hip, and knee conditions due to new evidence. The cases are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right elbow disability.