Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, lumbar degenerative arthritis and disc disease, and the related bilateral sciatic radiculopathy as these conditions are found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including painful scars of the bilateral foot and hallux valgus with osteoarthritis, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions preclude her from obtaining or maintaining such employment.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for left shoulder and right knee disabilities have been granted. The claim for a left arm disability is denied, and the claims for right knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that additional evidence, including service treatment records and VA contract examinations, must be considered before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine condition, right lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted from November 1, 2017 through May 6, 2022. The Board finds remand necessary for a Sharp compliant examination and opinion regarding the back disability, as well as an assessment of functional ankylosis. Additionally, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to additional evidence received since the last VA examination.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for osteoarthritis because no new and material evidence was received, and the Veteran's claims were previously denied in 2011.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there is no evidence of a current disability that was incurred or aggravated by service.

Service connection is granted for a headache disability, back disability (DJD, DDD, osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis, and IVDS), and bilateral foot disability.,The Veteran's headaches began during service in Vietnam. The Board found the evidence at least in relative equipoise that the current diagnosis of chronic headaches had its onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from February 1, 2007 to February 22, 2010. Therefore, a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Veteran is granted increased ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear, with the specific ratings being a 30% rating for limited flexion of the left knee due to degenerative arthritis, a 10% rating for limited extension of the left knee, and a 20% rating for instability of the left knee prior to December 27, 2022. The Veteran's meniscal tear is rated as 20% from December 27, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for a separate rating for right knee instability and increased ratings for bilateral ankle tendinitis and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, with the left knee disability also receiving a 30 percent rating effective from February 22, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder was denied, and his request for an increased rating for right foot disability was granted with a 20% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis and flat feet due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis. The claims for right knee osteoarthritis and right ankle condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from January 9, 2012 to September 13, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased rating and service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether the Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran's long history of working in a position requiring significant ambulation, combined with his left ankle disability, makes it reasonably possible that he cannot maintain substantially gainful employment.