Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for unspecified insomnia disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 100% disability rating. The claim for TDIU from March 1, 2019 forward was granted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluding him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for both conditions were inadequate and remanded to obtain further opinions. The Veteran's claims for right knee condition and left foot degenerative arthritis are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of June 20, 2015.,Prior to June 20, 2015, the Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, initial ratings greater than 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities, as well as initial ratings greater than 10 percent for left and right knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's left hip condition is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The skin conditions of the left and right calves are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a qualifying chronic disability or other basis for service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, rated at 10 percent, did not present with marked limitation of motion or ankylosis. The Board denied a higher rating as the current symptoms do not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected left knee scar has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than October 26, 2017, for service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and left knee scar have also been denied.,The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to insufficient examination of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings due to the appellant's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions are related to her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in prior examination reports. The Veteran's right ankle and knee disabilities are being reviewed again with a focus on pain levels during range of motion testing.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected cervical spine conditions and lumbar sprain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and translation of records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss disability and right thumb disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for back disability and has determined that a new and material evidence was submitted, thus allowing him to proceed with his claim. The Board also found that there is reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran regarding whether his current back disability had its onset during his period of INACDUTRA (inactive duty training) while serving in the military.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial ratings for his service-connected knee and hip disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records, addressing Francway request, and providing retrospective opinions regarding functional impairment.

The claim for service connection for left great toe ingrown toenail has been reopened and granted. The claims for general osteoarthritis, low back spina bifida, right hip disability, right hip shorter than left leg, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, left foot arthritis, chronic congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, thyroid disability, edema, and skin irritation have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee osteoarthritis were denied because she failed to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with RLE radiculopathy, is granted service connection. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to lumbar spine disorder) are remanded. Service connection for psychiatric disability (secondary to lumbar spine disorder) is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip disability and remanded her bilateral foot condition claim.