Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected disabilities, specifically cervical spine condition, residuals of traumatic head injury, and tinnitus.

Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis is granted on a presumptive basis. The Veteran's claim for TDIU from July 23, 2015, is denied as the evidence does not show he was prevented from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 7, 2017 for the award of service connection for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis, and metatarsalgia was denied as there is no evidence of a pre-existing implicit or explicit claim. The Board found that September 7, 2017 is the appropriate effective date.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis, and metatarsalgia was denied as there is no evidence to support a higher rating. The Board found that the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, right lower extremity disorder, and left lower extremity disorder. Service connection was granted for a headache disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in a previous medical opinion and needs further clarification on whether the Veteran's current foot disabilities are related to his military service, as well as if they are aggravated by any of his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral wrist osteoarthritis is remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation to determine the appropriate rating.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to June 29, 2013.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, degenerative arthritis and IVDS, LLE and RLE sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and LLE and RLE femoral nerve radiculopathy are granted with specific ratings. The appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left foot hallux valgus, and lumbar spine scar is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a back disability due to new evidence being added to the claims file during a period when it was not allowed. The Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the spine is supported by VA treatment records and lay statements, but a medical opinion is needed to determine if this condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The issues of cervical strain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, left knee strain, right finger joint condition with rheumatoid and stiffness (right finger condition), left finger joint condition with rheumatoid and stiffness (left finger condition), right wrist rheumatoid arthritis (right wrist condition), left wrist rheumatoid arthritis (left wrist condition), left ankle condition, cardiac condition, and skin condition have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee has been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal.

The Board has found the evidence inadequate to determine if the Veteran's back and left shoulder disabilities are related to his active-duty service, requiring further examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has denied increased ratings for both knees.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and low back disorder, finding that there is a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee injury pain, and right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total abdominal hysterectomy, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis, chronic depressive disorder, right and left ankle tendonitis, bilateral Morton's neuroma, hallux valgus right foot, and hallux valgus left foot, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for a left elbow condition, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of chronic left elbow problems during or after active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis. The claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities are remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.