Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability is granted a 40 percent rating beginning January 21, 2014. The issue of service connection for right and left ankle disabilities has been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including right wrist condition with degenerative arthritis, bilateral knee conditions (patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis), left knee condition with degenerative arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine, and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine. Additionally, a VA examination is required to determine if his depression disorder is secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to inadequate VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right shoulder disability have been granted increased ratings, but the rating for his right shoulder is only granted prior to September 13, 2022. The Veteran's sleep apnea remains under review.,Service connection has not yet been established for the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tension headaches, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and spinal stenosis, and unspecified cervical spine issues due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of bilateral knees is related to service. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion and consider all submitted evidence, including a study from the National Institute of Health.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his active-duty service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to February 3, 2020. For the period beginning February 3, 2020, his disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for vertigo and right knee osteoarthritis need further evaluation due to insufficient opinions in the VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claims for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on employment. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and TBI/post-concussion syndrome with headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The claim for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder, right hip, and left knee disorders were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The disorders are not secondary to the service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the previous examination report, specifically regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The claim will be further evaluated with an updated medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability and DVT of the left leg due to recent examinations revealing new symptoms and functional limitations. The Veteran will need to undergo further VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, higher ratings for his left knee disabilities, and entitlement to TDIU prior to August 13, 2002. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners and a need for new examinations.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia, were rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board has partially granted a 70 percent rating for major depressive disorder, but the Veteran's symptoms may warrant a higher evaluation. The VA must obtain and consider additional private treatment records related to his back and radiculopathy issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's right knee instability and painful motion have been restored to a 20 percent disability rating from August 2, 2018.