Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate development of evidence, including the need for retrospective opinions and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and lumbar spine conditions due to inadequate medical opinions in previous remands.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for TMJ disorder/jaw osteoarthritis and remanded the claims for systemic rheumatoid arthritis and left foot osteoarthritis. The latter two claims are inextricably intertwined with the service connection for TMJ disorder/jaw osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right fifth metacarpal status post right fifth metacarpal fracture and status post right fourth metacarpal fracture are rated as noncompensable, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limitation of motion of the ring or little finger absent amputation or the functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right fifth metacarpal status post right fifth metacarpal fracture and status post right fourth metacarpal fracture are rated as noncompensable, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limitation of motion of the ring or little finger absent amputation or the functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on housebound status are granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the etiology of the Veteran's generalized arthritis disorder, including whether it is related to service-connected disabilities and obesity.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a separate rating of 10 percent for a painful right-hand scar from February 1, 2011, to his death in November 2021. Other issues were remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for alcohol/substance abuse associated with PTSD is granted, and he receives a 70 percent rating for PTSD with substance/alcohol abuse. The evaluation for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, which is secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities. The decision was based on an inadequate VA medical opinion and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to outstanding medical records, including those from private providers. The VA is also requested to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis from January 12, 2023 is dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date remains pending.

The Veteran's tinnitus and chronic headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for memory loss, a neurological condition, diabetes, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, and unspecified osteoarthritis of multiple joints is remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for a compensable evaluation were not met at any time during the periods of appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his left knee disability from July 25, 2016 to July 24, 2017 is granted. The claims for evaluations in excess of 30 percent and TDIU prior to the specified dates are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities due to new evidence added to the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnosis of left knee instability and degenerative arthritis and military service. The Board gave more probative weight to the VA examination and opinion provided in August 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to concerns about the competency of the VA examiner who conducted the recent examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current knee disorders are related to her military service. The appeal is remanded for a review of additional VA evidence regarding an increased disability rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with strain, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.