Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee and right hip osteoarthritis have been granted service connection, with a rating of 10% effective July 20, 2018. Service connection for aggravation of diabetes mellitus type 2 has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her back disorder with osteoporosis, bilateral hip pain with osteoporosis, and bilateral thigh impairment with osteoporosis have been denied. The current rating of 40 percent for the back disorder is maintained.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted with a 20 percent rating, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, Depressive Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder) is granted. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for nephrolithiasis remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be obtained before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee and shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left ankle disability was denied. The case is now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for gastric ulcer and diabetes mellitus type II.,The Board found that there was no ankylosis or instability in the Veteran's left ankle, which precluded a higher rating. The case is now remanded to provide addendum opinions addressing whether any current gastrointestinal disorder and/or diabetes mellitus were proximately caused by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine condition has been dismissed as he expressed satisfaction with the June 2022 decision and requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain adequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current right hip disorders are related to his service-connected back disorder and if they are aggravated by it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to July 20, 2021. However, he was employed as a forklift operator in a protected environment until July 20, 2021.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and other knee impairment are currently rated at the lowest possible levels, with no higher ratings due to lack of additional functional loss or instability.

The Board has remanded the claims of rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as ratings for left and right knee instability. The remand is due to incomplete examinations that did not address how pain with weight-bearing could affect range of motion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and causation of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hip and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, secondary to his cervical spine disability, are granted. The claim for an increased rating for deviated septum with residuals of broken nose is remanded.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, but his left hand arthritis, bilateral elbow degenerative arthritis, right hand arthritis, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.

The Veteran's neck disabilities, diagnosed as a cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, are granted service connection. The low back and left knee disability issues have been remanded.

All claims for service connection or compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran, and some issues were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability was granted with an effective date of June 17, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for denying an increased evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The Court found that the Board failed to address evidence indicating additional functional loss and disregarded the Veteran's statements about pain and movement limitations.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 40 percent, which does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The evidence does not support that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.