Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran withdrew their claims, so the Board dismissed all issues related to service connection for skin disability, lower back degenerative arthritis disability, tinnitus, and a higher rating for left ankle sprain.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left elbows was granted. The claim for hypertension, including as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea, was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis in the left knee and left shoulder due to new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee joint osteoarthritis with tendonitis. The Board found that the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and required a new addendum opinion.

The Board remanded all claims for service connection, including gastrointestinal disorder, asthma, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical DDD, left wrist condition with pain, and left knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran will be afforded new VA examinations or medical opinions.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for several service-connected conditions was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal and failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied all claims. The veteran's knee conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and earlier effective dates for the depressive disorder and TDIU were not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, diagnosed lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and stenosis. The claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy and pelvic disability were remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied, but the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess whether he developed a meniscal condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee osteoarthritis and tinnitus, made it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 5, 2011. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) during this period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his disability rating was reduced to 90 percent from May 1, 2022. He does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU based on a single disability rated at 40% or more and sufficient additional disabilities to bring the combined overall rating to 70% or more.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is the primary factor in his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Other conditions, such as left knee strain, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, lumbosacral strain, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hallux valgus, also contribute but do not significantly impact his employability.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) was granted service connection secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with degenerative disc disease. The effective date for this grant is November 27, 2017.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and osteoarthritis, as well as DDD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to a motor vehicle accident sustained during service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea (claimed as breathing issues), to include as secondary to right knee disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, sciatic radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, chronic left ankle sprain, left knee strain, tinnitus, and left hand eczema with resolved cellulitis, do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for his increased rating for right shoulder disability has been withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but has remanded his claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease with thoracic back strain (lumbar spine disability).

The Veteran's claimed psychiatric disability, change in bowel pattern, hypertension, long head of biceps rupture, numbness of bilateral arms, right shoulder disability, and osteoarthritis are all denied. The Veteran's trigeminal neuralgia is also denied as his rating remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's left hip disability, characterized by strain and osteoarthritis, does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation based on limitation of flexion or impairment of the thigh.