Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to incomplete examinations and other issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chorioretinitis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the mid-back remains pending as it was remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in him being unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his physical limitations are already compensated for by the schedular ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his symptoms during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, compensable ratings for Right Ring Finger Surgical Scar and Right Finger Disability, and a rating greater than 10 percent for Back Disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his knee disabilities, as remand is required for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for kidney disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and left knee strain with gout due to potential issues with the medical opinions provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and TDIU prior to November 7, 2014 due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10% for each knee, and a separate rating of 20% for right knee instability effective December 1, 2021.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he did not return the required VA Form 21-8940 and there is no credible evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee meniscus tear with degenerative arthritis from February 21, 2017 was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for instability was granted effective February 13, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and cervical spine. The Veteran's current diagnoses are consistent with these conditions, and there is evidence that the stress from carrying heavy loads during active duty led to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis and IVDS, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate sufficient range of motion or incapacitating episodes to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied. His initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis prior to April 17, 2013, and his rating of 40 percent or higher from that date onwards were also denied. However, he received separate compensable ratings (10%) for left knee symptomatic semilunar cartilage prior to October 19, 2010, and for left knee instability.

The Board has determined that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder was incurred in or causally related to documented injuries during service. Therefore, service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including lumbosacral strain with facet joint arthropathy and degenerative arthritis of the spine, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total rating based on surgery necessitating convalescence for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis status post anterior cervical instrumented fusion beyond October 31, 2015 is denied as the evidence does not support such.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims were dismissed. The rating for left hip replacement with osteoarthritis was dismissed, while the other issues remained pending.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, L4-5 degenerative anterolisthesis, and L1 compression fracture residuals are granted as service connected. The Veteran's sinus disability (including sinusitis) and folliculitis are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further medical evaluation to determine if the Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis is related to her in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, right hip disability, and back disability due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection. The left elbow disability claim is not related to secondary service-connected conditions.