Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for left wrist disability due to a duty to assist error, as there is insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral calcaneal osteophytes, degenerative arthritis at C6-7 level, and a bilateral hand condition due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder and schizoaffective disorder have been granted. The claim for shortness of breath (sarcoidosis) is remanded, as is the claim for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions, including migraines, urinary dysfunction, and knee and spine issues, due to an impermissible concurrent election under 38 C.F.R. § 3.2500(b).

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and TDIU are being remanded due to new evidence or clarification needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and left knee degenerative arthritis were granted effective June 1, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain an opinion on whether the service-connected right knee disability aggravated the Veteran's left knee degenerative osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that symptoms were chronic in service and continuous since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause an impairment in his ability to obtain, maintain, or retain suitable employment. The Board found that the Veteran had overcome any impairment of employability due to his service-connected disabilities and was therefore not entitled to VR&E services.

For the period from December 27, 2018 to February 10, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.,For the period from February 10, 2021, the Veteran's combined disability rating is 100%, and he has been granted TDIU due to his severe cervical spine condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral fallen arches (congenital pes planus) and degenerative arthritis of the right and left foot with hallux valgus deformity, finding that these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate retrospective medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran is required to provide additional information regarding his lumbar spine IVDS with degenerative arthritis, left wrist CTS with left upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused by his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and bilateral knee osteoarthritis, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and left ankle degenerative arthritis, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to a duty to assist error in not providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine, and spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine were granted effective March 7, 2020. The Board found no earlier effective dates are warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis, bilateral pes planus, bilateral metatarsalgia, bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral hallux rigidus, left navicular avulsion fracture, and left great toe degenerative arthritis. The issues of secondary service connection have also been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, right shoulder, left shoulder, and migraine headaches disorders due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations. The issues are being reviewed again with additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from February 5, 2021 to June 5, 2021. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to the service-connected left knee disability has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new and relevant evidence received, specifically regarding periods of active duty service. The AOJ is instructed to verify all ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods during the Veteran's Army Reserve service from September 12, 1992 to November 22, 1994, and obtain a medical opinion on whether the right knee disability was incurred or aggravated by these periods of service.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left ear hearing loss, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis have been granted. The claim for right ear hearing loss is remanded.