Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from December 16, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities making it impossible for her to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral knee strain due to new and material evidence. The claims for right and left knee strains are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is related to her military service and granted. The right knee disability and left knee disability are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his knee and foot conditions, have impacted his ability to work. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the need for an examination considering the occupational limitations caused by these disabilities during the appeal period.

The Board denied a compensable rating for right hip osteoarthritis, strain, and hamstring tear with limitation of flexion due to the Veteran's range of motion being limited to 90 degrees during flare-ups. The claim for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip osteoarthritis, strain and hamstring tear with limitation of extension was not addressed.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for left knee sprain with patellofemoral syndrome, non-displaced patella fracture, and medial meniscal tear, as well as an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee limitation of flexion with osteoarthritis.,The Board found that the Veteran's OSA was not incurred during active-duty service.

The Board has decided to remand three cases involving increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left ankle arthritis, right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis, and postoperative residuals of the left knee. The decision is based on the need for additional development including obtaining private treatment records from UC Health and VA treatment records from February 2021 to present, as well as an examination to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus and lower back injury due to a lack of STRs confirming an in-service mortar attack, as well as missing VA treatment records from Michigan. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to verify the mortar attack and obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to support a secondary service connection based on his right tibia disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of his knee, back, COPD, and hemorrhoids disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis are rated at 50 percent since May 13, 2017. The skin rash is rated at noncompensable since October 7, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right upper extremity disorder (claimed as TFCC tear) due to lack of evidence linking it to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found no credible continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability due to insufficient development and lack of substantial compliance with previous Board orders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and left lower extremity sciatica, finding that there is no evidence of chronic in-service disability or continuity of symptomatology. The Board also remanded the remaining issues.,The Board found insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current knee and wrist conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to address the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities throughout each distinct period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial, compensable rating for hydrocele, status post left orchiectomy has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim during a Board hearing. The remaining issues on appeal have been remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the entire period on appeal.,For the period from March 28, 2022 to present, a higher rating of 20 percent is granted for limitation of flexion.