Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left shoulder disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service injury or disease. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability evaluation for his service-connected right and left ankle fractures with degenerative arthritis due to administrative issues regarding VA examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and an acute small meniscus tear, is currently rated at 20 percent since January 21, 2020. The rating remains unchanged prior to that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for joint pain of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence linking his current knee disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and the Board has denied a higher rating. The Veteran is granted increased ratings of 20 percent for limitation of abduction and 10 percent for limitation of extension.,The Veteran's left hip condition remains in dispute with the need for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right elbow condition, finding that it is not secondary to his service-connected residuals of fracture of right ring finger and is unrelated to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, left knee, and left hip disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back and left knee disorder, finding no link between these conditions and any in-service events.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation, and that any current conditions are more likely due to natural progression over time.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unfavorable ankylosis, and therefore, a rating in excess of 40 percent is not warranted. However, the Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the lack of updated employment and income information since his last application in 2015. The VA needs to obtain these details before a decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction and right shoulder degenerative arthritis due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

Service connection for asthma and left knee condition is granted.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further action regarding a compensable rating for left knee disability beginning April 10, 2017. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for limited extension and no higher under Diagnostic Code 5261.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right knee have been granted. The remaining issues, including those related to a right shoulder disability, post-concussive syndrome, migraine, left ankle fracture, left knee arthralgia, and left foot Morton's neuroma, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's back disability and TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for new examinations, as well as the retrieval of VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with coccyx strain was denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of ankylosis, IVDS, or significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's combined effects of his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service.