Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment solely because of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis and subluxation have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for obstructive sleep apnea is granted at a 50 percent level.,A separate disability rating of 50 percent, but not higher, is granted for left knee instability.

The Board has determined that the current opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities is inadequate and requires further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, bilateral metatarsalgia, and left leg varicose veins. Service connection was denied for left hand CTS and right hand CTS.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or condition related to his current diagnosis.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on a statutory housebound basis due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to February 17, 2023, and remanded the claims for bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, left knee limitation of extension, and bilateral shin splints.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete review of the claims file, as well as outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorders need to be evaluated again by a VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right shoulder and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and invertebral disc syndrome, is denied as not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, prior to August 12, 2020. The Board has remanded the issue of a higher initial rating for further development.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted with a rating of 20 percent, and service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and left patellar tendonitis are also granted. The Veteran's right shoulder condition was found to be limited to 80 degrees of motion, which does not warrant an increased rating. Service connection for the depressive disorder is granted based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's overall disability evaluation for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities is denied as the combined rating does not exceed 60% after conversion.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits claim is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the impact of his additional and increased service-connected disabilities on his employment capabilities. The case will be readjudicated after a new evaluation with a VRC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar scarring are denied as the effective date is set at January 7, 2010.

The Veteran's left knee strain and right knee degenerative arthritis are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings due to the degree of flexion limitation.,The Veteran's left occipital lesion is rated at a minimum of 10 percent based on residual symptoms.

The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia patella with osteoarthritis and varus deformity is rated at 10 percent, effective April 24, 2021 for the lateral instability.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted effective January 12, 2018. The effective date was determined based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service myositis and his current condition. The Board also found that arthritis could not be presumed to have been incurred in service.