Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence does not support a secondary relationship to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 23, 2008 for the grant of service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted after a previous denial.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and IVDS, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher rating given the degree of limitation of motion.

The Veteran's left and right foot disabilities have been granted service connection with effective dates of June 27, 2013. Effective date for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has not been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity and potential inextricably intertwined TDIU claim.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity neuropathy with foot drop, combined with his bilateral knee arthritis, causes the loss of use of his left lower extremity and precludes locomotion without assistive devices. The Board granted a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as separate ratings for instability of both knees. The criteria for a higher rating were not met based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's current right hand degenerative arthritis is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to his service-connected fractures of the second and third metacarpals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right foot disability and its relationship to service. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative joint disease, left medial meniscal tear, and left ankle ligamentous sprain are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to February 11, 2022, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Pes Planus, Hallux Valgus, and Degenerative Arthritis, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and development of evidence related to the Veteran's employability given his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be reconsidered after additional development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a history of meniscectomy, is rated at 10 percent prior to August 19, 2022. A separate rating for symptomatic residuals from the meniscectomy was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities and an increased rating for his cervical spine disability. The decision also granted a TDIU from November 1, 2011, but no earlier.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is presumed to have incurred a left shoulder disability in service, but the VA examiner found no direct link between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative of lumbar intervertebral disc and arthropathy of lumbar facet joint was rated at 20 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as his symptoms did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, and for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis. The issues have been remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection.