Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these disabilities are related to the Veteran's active military service.,Service connection was also granted for sleep apnea, which is considered a separate issue from the neck and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and radiculopathy, have prevented him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate effective September 30, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for a left knee disorder and dismissed the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder. The Veteran was granted service connection for a right knee meniscal tear with degenerative joint disease in an October 2023 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle sprain and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was reopened and granted. His right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the appeal for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disabilities, right and left foot disabilities, and rheumatoid arthritis due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided. The claims are being returned for additional evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and polyarthritis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his military service, including an in-service back strain diagnosis and recurrent back pain.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for a right foot disorder is denied. The issues of service connection for calcium deposit on the sciatic nerve and right hip disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right sciatic nerve disability are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation prior to June 1, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities have been reopened, but the Board has determined that service connection is not warranted based on lack of nexus between current disabilities and service. The right hand and left hand disability claims are also remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome affecting the Veteran's back and neck, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The case will be returned for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the September 2020 VA examination report. The diabetes claim is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and arthritis of the right hand, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle condition is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's effective date for a 40 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is set to January 7, 2016. The effective date for left lower extremity neuropathy was also set to this date.,An earlier effective date for left lower extremity radiculopathy is not granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he satisfies both economic and non-economic components of a TDIU from November 9, 2017. However, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to November 9, 2017 is remanded.