Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee osteoarthritis prior to August 30, 2012. The evidence did not show any limitation of motion or instability that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic knee disability in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders are not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for left shoulder tenosynovitis, osteoarthritis, status-post surgery with screw from 20 to 10 percent effective December 29, 2010 was proper and restoration is denied.

The Board has remanded both issues due to additional evidence being associated with the file and a need for issuance of an SOC regarding the issue of increased evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the hips.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knee, hearing loss, and tinnitus. High cholesterol and hypertension are not considered disabilities under VA law.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, verify stressors, and provide updated opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The RO/AMC found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation prior to August 4, 2014 and on or after August 4, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated as 30 percent disabling since August 6, 2013. The Board finds that the symptoms warrant a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased evaluation for his service-connected right foot disabilities and TDIU are also being deferred.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with the right knee instability rated at 10 percent and the cervical osteoarthritis rated at 20 percent. The diabetes mellitus claim was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disabilities, as there is conflicting evidence about their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, including a partial rotator cuff tear and degenerative arthritis, is not service-connected. The issues of increased evaluations for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, PTSD, and TDIU are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hip condition, and neck condition. The examiner will need to provide opinions regarding whether these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's original claims for service connection were filed on November 9, 2010, and granted by a May 8, 2012 rating decision. The effective date of these grants is set at November 18, 2010. The Veteran argued he should have received an earlier effective date based on his belief that he would have filed for service connection prior to November 9, 2010, if not for erroneous advice given during his separation physical examination in February 1961. However, the Board determined there was no evidence supporting this claim and denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions have been evaluated based on their current functional limitations, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.