Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims regarding Bell's palsy, left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and seeking an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating, effective April 6, 2021. The right shoulder disability remained at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address inconsistencies in the medical opinions and obtain additional records. The Veteran's left knee disability is being evaluated for secondary service connection, while his right knee disabilities are being reviewed for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder of GAD and MDD, as well as left knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee, hip, ankle, shoulder, neck, and back disabilities due to a lack of adequate rationale in previous opinions and the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to sleep apnea. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's feet disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and hip disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's representative raised a new theory of entitlement that his claimed disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected back and neck disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee patellar fracture, osteoarthritis, patellar joint excess fluid, and patellar osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to July 13, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, polyarthritis, and chronic Hepatitis C, rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment from April 23, 2008 to October 22, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and bilateral dry eye syndrome, but denied service connection for left eye macular hole. The Veteran's claims are remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule him for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches secondary to his cervical spine disability is granted. Other issues are remanded, and the effective date of TDIU is set prior to February 23, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and bilateral knee disability secondary to low back disability, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding her symptoms are credible and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right hip, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to potential aggravation by other service-connected conditions. Further evaluations are needed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left strain muscle, fascia, and tendon of hip with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's claim was previously denied due to lack of evidence linking her condition to military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis has been reopened and granted. Effective June 12, 2018, the Veteran is now assigned a 30 percent rating for left hip limitation of extension under Diagnostic Code 5252, a 30 percent rating for right hip limitation of extension under Diagnostic Code 5252, a 20 percent rating for left hip limitation of abduction, adduction, and rotation under Diagnostic Code 5253, and a 20 percent rating for right hip limitation of abduction, adduction, and rotation under Diagnostic Code 5253.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee pain with degenerative arthritis is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis. The claims for left collar bone impairment, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, and right elbow olecranon bursitis with arthritis are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.