Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA spine examinations. The Veteran contends her cervical spine conditions are related to an injury during active or reserve duty in 2005, but the medical opinions provided were not adequate.

The Board has denied service connection for lateral epicondylitis of the left and right elbows, as well as osteoarthritis of the left and right shoulders. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his time in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 11, 2013 is remanded due to the possibility that he may be unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has decided that the case should be remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's right-hand disorder, including osteoarthritis and swelling.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder osteoarthritis and a separate rating of 20 percent for left shoulder dislocation was denied. The highest available ratings under the applicable VA regulations were granted.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's knee conditions, including ratings for right and left knee chondromalacia patella and right knee osteoarthritis with pain on motion. The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for painful motion of his left knee.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of increased evaluations for the Veteran's knees, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression), and TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board after additional development is completed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the AOJ will determine the effective date. The AOJ must also consider additional evidence received since the last decision for the issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, cervical spine condition, head injury due to motor vehicle accident, severe abrasions of the left arm, and osteoarthritis of the left little finger with boutonniere deformity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 18, 2020. His combined rating was insufficient for TDIU and his physical limitations were not significant enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left knee instability and limitation of flexion are now rated at 20% from April 14, 2022. His stress fracture of the left tibia remains rated at 10%. The appeal for higher ratings is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment was not marginal and he did not receive special accommodations in his work environment. The decision also noted that his income exceeded the poverty threshold for one person during the appeal period.

The Veteran's increased functional impairment of the left shoulder due to pain and impingement syndrome was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The progression of his pre-existing degenerative arthritis is considered reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disorders. The claim is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for his left foot disability, including pes planus, pes valgus, and degenerative arthritis. The decision is based on the finding that these conditions are related to an in-service fall.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right shoulder condition, variously diagnosed as rotator cuff tendonitis, glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, and acromioclavicular joint separation, are granted service connection. The Veteran is also remanded for a determination on bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for surgical scars of the abdomen was denied as there was no evidence of such scars during service or linked to his military service.,The Veteran's right knee medial collateral ligament sprain with mild instability and limitation of flexion were not rated higher than 10 percent, as they did not meet criteria for more severe conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that his current condition is related to in-service symptoms and granting the presumption of continuity.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted effective January 1, 2017. The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities impacting his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.