Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease, bilateral toe osteoarthritis and spurring are service connected.

The Veteran's combined rating for service connected disabilities was sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU as of May 14, 2010. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is considered to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II with ED.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 14, 2009. The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to separate ratings of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hip disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and avascular necrosis, is not related to his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the current condition was caused by non-service-connected avascular necrosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition and right hand injury with laceration are not related to his active service or any period of ADT/IDT. As a result, these claims have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent each effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and left knee disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating from September 15, 2016 is 80 percent. The competent and probative evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 15, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee patella alta with chronic recurrent subluxation was incurred in service and her osteoarthritis is secondary to this condition. The appeal for service connection of the knees is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's plantar fasciitis is related to service, while his degenerative arthritis and hallux valgus are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any injury or incident in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip disorders are not related to service or his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities, thus denying both claims for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and bilateral lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency were denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly considering the impact of opioid use.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected pes planus. The claim for a neck disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred in service and is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development.