Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to lose the use of both feet, qualifying him for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the VA Regional Office failing to obtain his Social Security Administration records prior to issuing its December 8, 2020 decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to August 7, 2014, for the award of service connection for left shoulder disability. The appeal was based on a petition to reopen previously denied claims and associated service treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right and left hip osteoarthritis have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities and degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II is remanded as there were no recent private medical records submitted.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis of the hands, with ununited fracture ulnar styloid on the right, is remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for gout, bilateral great toe MTP joint, is remanded as there were no recent private medical records submitted.,The Veteran's claim for left ankle insertional Achilles tendinopathy with gout is remanded due to inadequate nexus opinion on the part of the VA examiner.,The Veteran's claim for hypertension is remanded as there was no current diagnosis in the October 2021 VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for nummular eczema is remanded due to an inadequate nexus opinion based on the absence of a presumptive condition list.,The Veteran's claim for prostate condition is remanded due to an inadequate nexus opinion based on the absence of a presumptive condition list.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being remanded.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and limitation of extension of the left and right knee is not warranted.,An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is not warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with joint osteoarthritis, finding that his current disability is related to his in-service duties as a medical laboratory technician.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain Social Security Administration records, which may contain relevant information about the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for PTSD, back disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and lack of consideration of the full appeal period. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 regarding his employment history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability due to incomplete development and need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and pain, but has remanded the issue due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and TDIU as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the issues of higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, status-post total left knee replacement, and right knee, as well as a TDIU prior to March 24, 2017. The remand is due to incomplete opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups at relevant VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee joint osteoarthritis due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for low back and neck disabilities, but denied an earlier effective date for TMJD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his service-connected disabilities in determining whether he is unemployable.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted as secondary to service-connected dorsolumbar strain. The thoracolumbar strain disability, already service connected, is also granted. Service connection for migraine headaches is granted based on their relationship to the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability due to insufficient information in the most recent VA examination report, particularly regarding the point at which pain causes loss of motion and the extent of functional impairment during flare-ups.