Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been granted, but no new or increased evaluations are warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his right and left knee disabilities and the etiology of his claimed cervical spine and left arm disorders. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder osteoarthritis does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and referral for extraschedular TDIU consideration is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for higher ratings were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and referring the TDIU claim for extraschedular consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's neurologic impairment of the left upper extremity is not a manifestation or caused by his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint with rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder, post-operative.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his left knee disability prior to January 9, 2014. For the period from March 1, 2015, the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic disability resulting from the Veteran's in-service injury, and thus service connection for osteoarthritis of the right thumb cannot be granted. For his claimed migraine headaches, the Board finds that the weight of the competent evidence does not support entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including right knee disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, were granted. The specific ratings assigned are provided in the decision summary.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Board hearing by live videoconference. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records from his Enlisted Reserve Corps service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hip, and knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also not related to his military service.,As a result, the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as he does not have any service-connected disabilities upon which to base this claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his lower back arthritis and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent before March 6, 2007 or in excess of 40 percent beginning March 6, 2007 for his lower back arthritis. He was also found to not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to December 19, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a request for a new hearing and other procedural issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea. The right hip disability is found to be related to in-service injuries, while the bilateral knee disability is found to be related to in-service activities. Service connection is granted on a direct basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and temporary total rating based on need for convalescence following surgery, finding that his current right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected diverticulitis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, which he claims was caused or aggravated by his prostate cancer treatment. The Board has remanded the case to obtain a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the left hip osteoarthritis.