Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The appellant withdrew her appeals for all issues related to the grant of service connection and increased initial ratings for various nerve conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to November 14, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome status post patellar dislocation is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has worsened, causing increased functional limitation and missed work. The VA examination report is inadequate due to the examiner's inability to objectively test for instability during the June 2018 examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The appeals are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis and right knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) was denied. The effective dates for these conditions were not earlier than January 30, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis with degenerative joint disease of lumbosacral spine as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus has been granted. The Board also remanded the issues regarding increased ratings for left and right ankle tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and failure to consider additional functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use. The Veteran's low back disability may have ankylosis, which requires further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been granted. However, her claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's left knee instability is granted a rating of 30 percent, effective April 15, 2017. The right knee condition secondary to the service-connected left knee conditions and TDIU claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia and avascular necrosis, is rated at 30 percent effective April 3, 2019. The Board found the May 2019 VA examination to be more probative due to its consideration of lay statements regarding pain and flares.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and ankle disability have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

Service connection is granted for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for unspecified depressive disorder, right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right knee osteoarthritis status post total replacement, left knee osteoarthritis status post meniscal tear repair, right hip degenerative arthritis, left hip degenerative arthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome, right wrist degenerative arthritis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, right shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tear status post total replacement, left shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, right lateral epicondylitis, left lateral epicondylitis, neck pain, lumbar spine DJD, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbosacral strain, and radiculopathy.,Service connection is denied for coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and hypertensive heart disease.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent prior to April 20, 2022 and at 30 percent since then. The current rating of 30 percent is denied as the evidence does not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from side.,TDIU was also denied.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for a bilateral knee disability was improper and has restored the original rating.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection and rating for the Veteran's heart palpitations, left knee condition, osteoarthritis of the right first MTP joint, and osteoarthritis of the left first MTP joint due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and instability, is rated at 50 percent since January 22, 2023. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding service connection and rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain and cervical spine degenerative arthritis.