Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right shoulder and right ankle disability due to incomplete development in the prior appeal.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU has been granted. The left knee meniscectomy residuals, right knee osteoarthritis (rated as limitation of flexion), and right knee total arthroplasty have all received appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for several of the service-connected conditions and rating increases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to chronic headaches, left shoulder disorder, left hand disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorders are inadequate. The Veteran must be afforded new examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracic spine conditions, right upper extremity radiculopathy, osteoarthritis of the great toes, gastrointestinal disability, Peyronie's disease, and erectile dysfunction. The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions, as well as whether there is a nexus between his service-connected disabilities and any other claimed conditions or exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates determined based on the receipt of formal or informal claims. The Board also found that his chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right hand degenerative joint disease are related to service.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.,Service connection for left knee disability and left lower extremity neuropathy secondary to low back disability are granted.,TDIU is denied.

The Board has found that the VA examination during the appeal period is insufficient to determine the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's hip disabilities throughout the appeal period. Therefore, a remand is required for an addendum retrospective medical opinion.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, left knee condition, right knee condition, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The claims are being remanded due to a pre-decisional error in considering all of the evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis and instability have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective from January 26, 2018. Ratings for right and left knee instability were also granted starting from August 9, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal, finding that the grant of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to a misrepresentation of his active duty service duration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the etiology of his diagnosed conditions, including vertigo. The claims are also remanded for further development regarding service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent prior to June 2, 2023. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, LLE neuropathy, RLE neuropathy, and neck osteoarthritis. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.,The Board found no credible evidence linking current disabilities in the Veteran's back, hips, or nerves to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip condition is aggravated by his service-connected left hip condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee osteoarthritis, left and right shoulder impingement syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy in the right lower extremity, femoral nerve radiculopathy, and right hip trochanteric syndrome with osteoarthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands both issues for further development, including a new VA examination.