Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior remand directives and additional development is necessary. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including atraumatic multidirectional subluxation of the right shoulder and sprain of the right shoulder cuff capsule, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA examination reports and a need for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis during the period prior to July 26, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for edema, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in March 2024. The AOJ is required to obtain copies of non-VA medical records from VistA Imaging system and provide an addendum medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from December 24, 2016. Prior to that date, he was working and did not meet the criteria for TDIU as he was not unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right foot plantar callosities have been granted initial 20 percent ratings, while the higher rating claims for both feet are denied.,Service connection has been established for bilateral knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder condition and neck condition due to insufficient information from VA medical records. The Veteran is advised to provide any additional relevant records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, but do not meet the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his employment handicap, and he was found employable with his current skills, experience, and education. The Board denied VR&E benefits as the Veteran does not meet the threshold requirement of having an employment handicap.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back condition, including lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome. The claim is based on direct service connection due to symptoms that began during service and have continued since.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as right shoulder degenerative arthritis and right shoulder strain, finding that it had its onset within a year of his discharge from service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for service connection. The left hip disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine has been granted a rating of 40 percent, but not higher, effective from August 28, 2020.

The Veteran's back disability is granted an initial rating of 40 percent, effective May 8, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining any form of gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis with a history of ACL tear, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in pre-decisional duty to assist. The AOJ must obtain additional medical opinions and consider evidence not previously considered.

The Veteran is granted a separate 20 percent rating for right knee lateral instability prior to July 7, 2015. However, the initial rating for right knee osteoarthritis prior to that date remains at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claim for a spine disability due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 30, 2016, onward, and entitlement to TDIU is granted.