Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The dental condition for compensation purposes issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded for additional development to assess the extent of range of motion loss due to flare-ups and repeated use.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to February 28, 2017 for the grant of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is dismissed. The Board has also remanded cases regarding initial ratings and service connection due to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory disorder, and low back disorder due to inadequate medical opinions provided in the previous remand.

The Veteran's right fourth finger and right shoulder disabilities are granted as related to active duty service.,His hiatal hernia is also granted, with the rating assigned based on his existing GERD condition.

The Veteran's neck condition, left ankle condition, and hemorrhoids have all been granted service connection. The neck condition was reopened after new evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity disabilities have been granted. His left foot disability has also been increased to a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of his claim.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder degenerative arthritis, as well as her bilateral knee osteoarthritis, have been granted service connection on a presumptive basis due to their manifestation within one year of separation from active service.,Service connection for uterine fibroids with myomectomy has not been established.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and determination of the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left foot disabilities, including whether they are congenital defects or diseases aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition and granted it, finding that his current diagnoses of right knee meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and osteoarthritis are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected comminuted fracture right tibia and fibula.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease, and stenosis are granted. Claims for diverticulitis, diabetes mellitus, flat feet (pes planus), traumatic brain injury, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, hypertension, a right-hand condition, a left-hand condition, TBI residuals of headaches, loss of taste and smell, and dizziness are denied. The Veteran is granted a 10 percent disability rating for TMJ prior to November 18, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and right hip disorders due to outstanding private medical records needing to be obtained, new VA examinations needed, and a new VA examination for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right knee tricompartmental osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum under DC 5010. The Board has remanded for further development regarding other issues including a compensable evaluation for arthritis with limitation of extension and an increased rating for ACL and MMT repair.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a breathing condition, low back disability, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and left knee osteoarthritis did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 15, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for left thumb tendinosis, lower back degenerative arthritis, and bilateral sciatic radiculopathy. The conditions are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The cases for increased disability evaluations and service connection for right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and degenerative arthritis are granted, with the latter being decided on the merits due to new evidence received since the final rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of osteoarthritis, right knee, finding that there is no evidence to show treatment for right knee symptoms during active-duty service and no arthritis shown within one year after separation from service.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of both first carpel metacarpal joints and right knee condition due to potential in-service causation or aggravation.