Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition and a right wrist condition, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to incidents during his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder impingement with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or event.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, bicipital tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, rotator cuff tear, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for eczema (lipoma on back) is dismissed due to procedural issues. The appeals for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain and left shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tear and AC joint OA are denied. The claims for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and cervical spine degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) issued by the Veteran's representative and the VA Office of the General Counsel. The JMR requested that the Board address the issue of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, including evidence provided during the December 2021 hearing where the Veteran's spouse stated he cannot be around bodies of water without being reminded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 14, 2011, precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for rotator cuff and bicipital tendon repair with degenerative arthritis, right shoulder; shoulder strain, left; and surgical scars, right shoulder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's right knee disability, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis (presumed), and obstructive sleep apnea are all granted service connection. The specific nature of the other specified depressive disorder is denied.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for a compensable rating for sinusitis and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain information about the qualifications of the examiners who provided medical opinions related to his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's left hip disability is granted as service-connected, and he is also entitled to a temporary total evaluation following his September 2018 surgery.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives, including a need for new and adequate examinations of the appellant's left thigh disability.

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disorder was reopened and granted service connection effective December 17, 2010. He is currently rated at 30 percent for his cervical spine disability.,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy was also granted effective December 17, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for multiple myeloma was denied as the condition is asymptomatic.,Claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and cervical spine disorder based on CUE were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a right hip condition are all granted. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of the right hip condition.

The Board has decided to remand two claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the Board denies her claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, or right knee condition.,For his left hip conditions, he was granted a 10 percent rating for limitation of extension and no other ratings were granted. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his generalized anxiety disorder.