Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

Effective dates of December 23, 2014, for left and right knee osteoarthritis, and November 15, 2017, for a left knee scar are granted. TDIU and DEA benefits prior to December 27, 2019, are remanded.

The Veteran's asthma, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right knee instability conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings due to lack of supporting evidence for increased evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected primary insomnia disorder, right shoulder ac joint and glenohumeral joint degenerative joint disease, degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbosacral spine with compression deformity and degenerative arthritis, left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, s/p left elbow sprain, left middle finger proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation, and right wrist s/p scapholunate ligament tear. As such, the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) were denied as the earliest effective dates are January 28, 2020.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted service connection based on continuity of symptoms since service. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there was no current diagnosis at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for low back degenerative arthritis, left hip strain disability, right hip strain disability, and left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for osteoarthritis during a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left knee condition has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.,An initial compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected left fifth finger scar is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in the disability rating at this time.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected left fifth finger degenerative arthritis is remanded due to a lack of a VA examination addressing any associated neurological conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's evaluations of osteoarthritis of both her left and right knees from 20% to 10%, finding that the reduction was procedurally deficient and substantively inadequate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the combined disability rating exceeded the maximum allowable under the amputation rule. The GERD claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted. The issue of service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for schedular TDIU, and there is no evidence to suggest he is unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, and he receives a combined rating of 20 percent for his right knee strain and left knee osteoarthritis. The issues regarding bilateral hearing loss disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The decision is based on evidence showing chronicity of symptoms during and after military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of relevant medical records, particularly from private providers. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis will be reconsidered with these additional records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including meniscal tear, ACL tear, and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found no basis for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left knee condition is granted as secondary to her service-connected right knee and low back conditions.,Service connection for left knee instability is denied due to lack of evidence of instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and bilateral pes planus with bilateral degenerative joint disease of the 1st metatarsal phalangeal joint with metatarsalgia are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further development, including obtaining service records from periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The Veteran's right foot conditions are being reviewed to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's back condition, neck condition, and right hip condition are all granted as service connected.,Reasoning: The evidence is in equipoise regarding the onset of these conditions during active duty.