Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted. The initial rating of 60 percent was assigned for coronary artery disease, effective May 1, 2007, with a subsequent increase to 100 percent effective June 10, 2013. Gout received an initial evaluation of 40 percent. Osteoarthritis and post-operative residuals of right shoulder surgery were each assigned an initial evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination addressing his knee and back disabilities, as well as an inadequate medical opinion regarding his low back disability. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination that includes range of motion testing as per Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination and the acquisition of outstanding medical records. The issues include a claim for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability and a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are not related to injuries sustained during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA). The VA examiner found no evidence linking the current symptoms to service, and concluded that they were more likely due to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knees are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. His claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are also being remanded as he has not been provided with a VA examination in over six years.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities have resulted in functional loss of use, warranting a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing. However, he is not entitled to a special home adaptation grant due to the award of specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right elbow disorder, to include degenerative arthritis, that is etiologically related to his military service or is otherwise of service origin.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the requirements of this program due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his representative requesting withdrawal of the appeals for several issues, including those related to service connection and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected and rated at 20 percent. The right ankle and right foot disabilities are both rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for his scar, left wrist was granted. His service-connected tendinitis and mild degenerative arthritis of the right and left wrists were each assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's bilateral elbow disorder and left knee disorder are not currently service connected. A TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's left hip strain is not productive of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, extension limited to 5 degrees, ankylosis, limitation of rotation, limitation of adduction, limitation of abduction, flail joint, malunion or fracture of the femur, or the functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is productive of flexion limited to 60 degrees or less but not of incapacitating episodes totalling at least 4 weeks per year, ankylosis, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 170 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or the functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not productive of incapacitating episodes, ankylosis, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 170 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or the functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's right elbow disability is productive of pronation motion lost beyond the last quarter of arc, but it is not productive of pronation motion lost beyond the middle of arc, ankylosis, flexion limited to 100 degrees or less, extension limited to 45 degrees or more, fracture with deformity, ununited fracture, a flail joint, malunion, nonunion, bone fusion, or the functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left lower extremity conditions, including her knee injuries and arthritis, are not related to service. The evidence does not show a nexus between any current condition and in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, post-surgical with frequent dislocation, does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical opinions to address the Veteran's reported symptoms of decreased manual dexterity, problems with lifting and carrying, difficulty reaching, a bad mood, and pain medication effects for back pain.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder in December 2014, and the Court vacated this decision due to insufficient examination regarding congenital defects. The Veteran's claim remains pending.,A VA examiner diagnosed AC osteoarthritis in both shoulders but did not provide an opinion on whether it was related to military service.