Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability are rated at 10 percent, while the meniscal tear is rated at 20 percent. The appeal for a higher rating for these conditions remains denied.

The Veteran's initial 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is granted, effective July 19, 2013. The case is remanded for further evaluation regarding TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee due to insufficient evidence in the record, including lack of a retrospective medical opinion and inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and restoration of disability ratings are being remanded due to procedural issues.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and remanded the claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disability. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion prior to January 24, 2018 or a compensable evaluation for extension limitation. The Veteran is currently receiving appropriate ratings based on instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee pain, right great toe pain, and tinnitus due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the claimed mechanisms of injury.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The TDIU claim remains part of the right knee increased evaluation claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine with radiculopathy and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's back disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, and left knee disorder have been granted evaluations. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have also been granted evaluations. An effective date of September 30, 2020 has been established for these service connection awards.

The Board has ordered remand for additional development due to the need for a thorough and contemporaneous examination of the Veteran's right knee disabilities, including addressing his reported symptoms and flare-ups.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right ankle disabilities were granted, while the rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis was denied.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted due to worsening symptoms during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine. The examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's service connection claim and her exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of drainage of a left shoulder abscess, including glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and scarring. The decision finds that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for chronic thoracolumbar strain with lumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis, since October 5, 2019, is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the upper extremities (right and left) and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain with tendonitis, and PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder. The issues related to these conditions have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is etiologically related to his military service.