Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

Effective December 1, 2021, the Veteran is granted increased ratings of 30 percent for ankylosis in both right and left knees. The previous separate rating for instability of the left knee was also granted.

The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 3, 2014, as the evidence did not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, other than bilateral foot arthritis (i.e., right knee and bilateral hand arthritis), due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's GERD, lumbar spine condition, tinnitus, and psychiatric disability are all granted service connection.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis are currently rated at 40 percent. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both currently rated at 40 percent. The appeals are denied as the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder pain require additional development due to a lack of an adequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its secondary relationship to PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the right and left knee, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, right and left ankle conditions, and nasal bone fracture residuals due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left shoulder and upper arm injury, and right shoulder and upper arm injury. The decision also grants these conditions as secondary to a service-connected disability (cervical spine).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, both related to his active duty training period. The decision also grants secondary service connection for the left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot. The Veteran was found capable of performing activities of daily living with assistance but not requiring regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is related to his service. The AOJ will need to obtain a new opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right hip strain, left hip strain, right knee strain, and left knee strain are being remanded due to a lack of consideration of lay evidence regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms.

Your appeal to connect your right knee strain with degenerative arthritis to service is dismissed.

The Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and bilateral flatfoot (pes planus) with degenerative arthritis have been rated as noncompensable and 30 percent, respectively. The claims for left and right hand disabilities are being remanded.,Service connection is not at issue in these cases.

The Board has granted effective dates for service connection and remanded the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of individual unemployability prior to May 25, 2018 on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities prior to May 18, 2017 due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder and left hand disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or immediately after service. The Board finds the Veteran's assertions regarding in-service injuries are not credible due to inconsistencies with contemporaneous medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.