Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder and radiculopathy, rhinitis, deviated septum and sinusitis, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2013. The Board has granted an earlier effective date of January 1, 2013 for the TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his active-duty service and his current condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's low back disability is not secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and left ear hearing loss, as they were not fully addressed in the previous rating decision. The appeal period begins from January 12, 2011, one year prior to the receipt of the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected status post fracture right first metatarsal, dislocation with hallux rigidus and degenerative arthritis has resulted in moderately severe symptoms since November 17, 2016. The Board granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions, including the suprapatellar effusion and complex tear.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities on a direct basis. Service connection for left lower extremity nerve disability is also granted as secondary to the lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for sinusitis on a presumptive basis due to exposure to particulate matter in Saudi Arabia during active duty has been established. The Board finds that service connection for left foot degenerative arthritis cannot be determined at this time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted.,The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claims of right and left knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent. Service connection for hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are granted, while service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, ingrown toenails, and a skin disorder are denied.

Your claims for service connection have been granted, but the decision is a full grant of the benefits sought.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and for further medical development, including obtaining an addendum opinion and requesting SSA records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, as the July 2020 VA examiner improperly relied on the absence of medical records and assumed certain facts without clear explanation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased disability evaluations in various conditions, with some issues granted and others not. Service connection for a lung disorder was also established.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for adjudication, and additional evidence is needed. The Veteran's right knee disability and neurological condition remain under review.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's appeal for additional development due to outstanding records and inadequate examination report.

The Board denied service connection for anxiety and depression (now claimed as PTSD), right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative arthritis and IVDS were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for degenerative changes and strain of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The claim for hypertension remains denied. Service connection for diabetes mellitus has been granted based on new and material evidence. Chronic constipation secondary to service-connected hypertension is now service connected. Claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS, fibromyalgia, and MUCMI are all denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its decision regarding TDIU, specifically addressing whether the Veteran is capable of sedentary work.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at 100%, combined. He does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 's' rate, and his TDIU claim is dismissed as moot.