Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the claim of entitlement to a TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for right Achilles tendonitis and left shoulder osteoarthritis (claimed as a left arm or shoulder disorder) due to lack of current diagnosis, no evidence of in-service injury or event related to the conditions, and no nexus between the conditions and active service.,VA examinations found that the Veteran's right Achilles pain was attributed to tibiotalar arthritis and his left shoulder complaints were diagnosed as osteoarthrosis. The Board determined these diagnoses did not meet the criteria for service connection under the provisions relating to undiagnosed illness or Multisymptom Illness (MUCMI).

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for right knee osteoarthritis and a separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability from July 7, 2017 to December 5, 2019, but denied ratings in excess of the assigned levels.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right and left foot disabilities, including degenerative arthritis, for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip degenerative joint disease/degenerative arthritis, left hip degenerative joint disease/degenerative arthritis, left knee mild degenerative joint disease, and skin rash on the right lower extremity have been denied as not new and material.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability was denied. The VA examinations did not indicate any incapacitating episodes or other complications that would warrant a different rating.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as the evidence does not support a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's psoriasis claim is denied as there is no basis for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded to obtain proper VA examinations.,The Veteran's left hip bursitis and right hip bursitis claims are also remanded to obtain proper VA examinations.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain TERA-specific VA medical opinions for the appellant's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and high blood pressure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left hip disability, and right hip disability have been granted with effective dates based on intent to file a claim.,Initial ratings for his service-connected spine and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis based on secondary aggravation of the condition by service-connected knee disabilities, with a 100% rating effective October 23, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 13, 2017. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and recurrent cerebrovascular accident/stroke residuals. Service connection is remanded for Type II diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board notes that there are no compensable limitations of motion or instability present to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for earlier effective dates and increased initial ratings for his newly service-connected lower back strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, left rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, and fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the right foot are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the need for aid and attendance or housebound status, as his needs were due to non-service-connected conditions. Therefore, SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a duty-to-assist error. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially and materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his service-connected left elbow, right knee, low back, left ulnar neuropathy, and hypertension disabilities have been denied. The RO also remanded several issues related to service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses are conceded, but further examination is needed.