Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of a left leg brace and right prosthetic leg or wheelchair. The Board has awarded specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination and the acquisition of any outstanding VA treatment records. The TDIU claim will also be developed on remand.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and bilateral hearing loss disability, finding that new evidence did not establish a current disability or link it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with service connection for a recurrent groin area muscle disorder secondary to his service-connected left iliac crest fracture residuals. The effective date of the award and initial evaluation are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent, and his claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, weak feet, and osteoarthritis was rated as 10 percent prior to January 30, 2014, and 50 percent thereafter. The Board found the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with the effective date being March 27, 2015. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for each knee.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed back and shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation, nor can it be established as secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, considering the impairment from the disorders and his educational and employment history.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case on his service connection claim for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and because he missed his scheduled videoconference hearing. His initial compensable rating claim for asbestosis with pleural plaques remains under review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA examination and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 10 percent for painful, nonlimited motion in both right and left knees from September 1, 1993 to November 1, 2011.

The Veteran's headaches and cervical strain were granted initial compensable ratings, with the headache rating increased to 50% effective December 9, 2009. The right upper radicular nerve group associated with his cervical spine disability was also granted a separate 20% rating.

The Veteran's ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, hand, and back disabilities are not service-connected. Early onset peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is also not service-connected.

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

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient detail in the March 2016 VA examination report and the need to consider secondary service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of her claims, including a TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection was denied.