Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Effective dates for PTSD, right shoulder (major) degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as the claim was not filed within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's TDIU prior to September 1, 2020 is dismissed due to mootness.

The Veteran's shin splints are currently rated by analogy under Diagnostic Code 5262, which relates to impairment of the tibia and fibula. The Board finds that an initial 10 percent rating is warranted for each lower extremity as the Veteran has actually painful joints.,To be adequate, VA examination reports must include testing of both, left and right, limbs or joints. Therefore, a remand is necessary to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar strain, right foot strain, and left thumb degenerative joint disease due to a lack of compliance with previous orders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the right knee degenerative arthritis status post total knee arthroplasty and TDIU prior to January 10, 2022. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to her right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new examination.

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The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was denied, and the case is remanded due to an unclear decision on TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disability, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 15, 2016 for the awards of a 10% disability rating for bilateral hallux valgus. The issues of increased ratings for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his service-connected neck, low back, GERD, and esophageal stricture disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for clarification of functional loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his sinusitis, right knee disability, left knee disability, painful extension of knees, or instability are related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, basilar skull fracture, and status post tympanoplasty, are being remanded for further evaluation due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's right knee strain was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis was denied a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and meniscal tear, status post repair, and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with scoliosis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a re-examination and consideration of flare-ups.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service and aggravation by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to its manifestation within the 10-year presumptive period following separation from active service in Afghanistan.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's chronic bilateral ear disorder is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is granted as service-connected due to its aggravation by her major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as service-connected with an increased rating required based on the frequency and severity of attacks.,The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis at L5-S1 prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine osteoarthritis prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's right knee medial compartment osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including DDD of the lumbar spine, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, GERD, and bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since August 4, 2011. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right knee disability were denied, with the exception of a grant of an increased rating to 20 percent from February 7, 2019. The Veteran was also granted TDIU status.