Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing and further development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The issues of increased rating for low back disability and service connection for sleep apnea syndrome are both pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than November 10, 2010 for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for status post fracture of middle finger of left hand and osteoarthritis with scar is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and chronic low back strain prior to October 26, 2015. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and lack of medical records, requiring a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hand disabilities are related to his service.

The Veteran's hammer toe deformity of the right second toe with osteoarthritis is manifested by pain, difficulty balancing and walking. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals, left knee injury, to include osteoarthritis and meniscectomy, are not etiologically related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of her service-connected right knee disability and additional development of her claims file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of right hip, right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1968. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 80 percent, which meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities and grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's chondromalacia patella of the right knee is manifested by pain, limitation of motion in flexion and arthritis. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for his condition has not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DM and a heart disability were not addressed. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for IVDS with degenerative arthritis changes (prior to September 28, 2013) was denied. The higher rating in excess of 20 percent for IVDS with degenerative arthritis changes (beginning on September 28, 2013) was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as macular hole of the right eye. The evidence does not establish that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders to his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating for the entire appeal period due to his service-connected disabilities, which preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder AC joint degenerative arthritis are granted. The claim for higher rating for right shoulder AC joint degenerative arthritis is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure full compliance with the duty to assist, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling a VA examination for his knee disabilities. The issues on appeal will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for arthritis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their current severity, with the left knee receiving a higher rating due to instability and arthritis. The right knee is also rated for arthritis.