Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and TDIU prior to February 6, 2020 was denied due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected left knee disability alone.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and rotator cuff tear are rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2015. The left shoulder impingement syndrome with status post left shoulder repair is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right femur fracture and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are being remanded for further evaluation. The left knee chondromalacia claim is also pending.

The Veteran withdrew all remaining issues on appeal, including requests for increased ratings for hip osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it is less likely than not caused by his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, finding that they are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility are granted. The Board has found the Veteran unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, which include left knee degenerative arthritis with limited extension, muscular atrophy, instability, and flexion limitations. The right knee disability is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding potential VA causation or aggravation. The rating for left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, diagnosed as left hip strain with degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis, has been granted. The right knee issue is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability and associated lumbar radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for the period since November 22, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service. The examiner must consider post-service treatment records, a 1993 medical opinion, and other factors in determining causation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, back pain, and bilateral lower extremity conditions have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is dismissed as he has requested withdrawal of his appeal in its entirety.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate to determine the severity of the Veteran's spine disability during flare-ups, as well as the etiology of his right knee degenerative arthritis. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and related conditions are currently rated based on their service-connected status. The Board has found that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding his PTSD, warranting a 70% disability rating prior to December 5, 2019, but not higher. Other issues remain remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder, finding that his pre-existing neck disorder was not aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left tibia fracture residuals, right knee osteoarthritis, and chronic gastritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for tinnitus.,For the remaining conditions, the Board determined that the current 10 percent ratings adequately reflected the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee conditions, including arthritis and patellar subluxation, were rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable rating schedule. The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his combined service-connected disabilities prior to November 8, 2013.