Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder, finding no current disability. However, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as her combined rating of 90% supports this decision.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left, little finger fracture and scars from lipoma removal on his arms.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of her claims for higher ratings in multiple service-connected conditions, and the Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is found to be related to his combat service. The claim for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right leg other than a right hip disability will need further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability. He contends that he should be afforded a higher evaluation based on symptoms such as continuous pain, instability, and fatigue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left and right knee disabilities. The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA medical examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's left hip disorder is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically right knee arthroplasty, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and right shoulder impingement syndrome with glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities have been evaluated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings warranted based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was denied. The Board also remanded her service connection claim for a psychiatric disability, to include depression (MDD), but did not reach a decision on it due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left hip disability was initially rated at 10 percent from August 7, 2009 to August 28, 2014. After a VA examination in November 2016, the Veteran underwent left total hip arthroplasty on September 19, 2016, and is now rated at 100 percent for one year from that date.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was granted. The right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, the right medial ankle scar remains at 10 percent, and the Veteran is now eligible for TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper left and right extremities, osteoarthritis of the left and right knees. The Veteran is also found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as any outstanding private or VA treatment records should be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a TDIU being awarded. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and instability have been rated based on their current manifestations, with a separate rating for instability granted from February 16, 2007 to October 1, 2012. The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for right knee instability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of the record.