Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions regarding his cervical degenerative arthritis. The issues of increased rating and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board also denied service connection for bilateral foot disabilities as they were not shown to be related to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete testing and lack of specific opinions regarding functional loss, flare-ups, ankylosis, and radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The case will be returned for new opinions from VA medical professionals.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, joint osteoarthritis, and patellar instability.,Service connection was also granted for left knee strain, joint osteoarthritis, patellar instability, meniscal tear, and fracture. The Veteran's left foot pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and drop foot were also found to be related to service.

Service connection is granted for right ankle osteoarthritis. The case is remanded to determine the nature and etiology of any right wrist disability.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's spine and hip disabilities have been remanded for further examination.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of updated treatment records and the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left hip disability, including range of motion testing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. The reduction in disability rating from 30% to 20% for recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder with osteoarthritis was found to be improper and restored the original 30% rating. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of his left shoulder disability, service connection for PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's right ankle instability is rated at 20% from November 10, 2020 to September 14, 2021 and denied for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left hip arthritis is rated at 10% prior to November 10, 2020 and denied for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar strain was denied, and separate ratings were granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) and left lower extremity (LLE).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his TMJ dysfunction and any other related conditions. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no competent evidence linking any of the Veteran's current disabilities to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is found to be the primary cause of his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding no evidence of current disability related to service. Service connection was granted for allergic rhinitis.,The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder was reopened due to new and material evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot disorder, bilateral hands disorders, and bilateral hips disorders due to outstanding medical records and new opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and spinal fusion residuals as these conditions originated during active service.