Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the threshold schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to February 10, 2019. The Board found that his service-connected low back disability with radiculopathy made it difficult for him to maintain employment and be productive.

The Board has determined that the appeal for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea is remanded, and all other issues on appeal are addressed. The Veteran's right knee disability remains rated as 10 percent disabling, with a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee with noncompensable limitation of motion due to pain and/or swelling from February 19, 2013. Temporary total evaluation beyond April 1, 2015 is denied, as is TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that his symptoms are contemplated by DCs 5003, 5260, and 5261.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation of additional foot conditions, including left foot degenerative arthritis, flat foot, plantar fasciitis, and acquired pes planovalgus. The Veteran's service-connected left calcaneus fracture with posttraumatic osteoarthritis is being evaluated.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU, leaving only the temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence issue. The Board dismissed all issues due to withdrawal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that his current diagnoses did not manifest during service and were not otherwise etiologically related to his active service or to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional relevant VA medical records being added to the claims file after a previous SSOC. The Veteran was asked if he would like to waive initial review by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) and requested remand for AOJ initial review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee ROM prior to August 16, 2019. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis (back) but has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability, not including degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it was incurred during active duty.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various knee conditions and cervical spine issues due to his death.

The Board has determined that there is a 50/50 chance (equipoise) that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee was caused by injuries sustained during his period of active duty for training. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's earlier effective date claims for overactive bladder and ED have been withdrawn. The Board has also granted service connection for hypertension and fecal incontinence.,The Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities (left and right hips) are remanded for further development as the VA examination is inadequate to address secondary aggravation or direct service connection.,The Veteran's scars, related to his right total hip arthroplasty, are also remanded for a more current evaluation.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim is remanded due to the lack of recent medical evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the spine have been rated at 10 percent since May 29, 2015. The rating is denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a back disorder, left hip disorder, and left sciatica are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The Board finds that the necessary development has not been completed.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left knee flexion limitation have been granted, with a TDIU awarded from November 21, 2015 to August 12, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability and its relationship to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of left humerus fracture including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service injury. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the final rating decisions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluations due to inconsistencies in the current VA examinations and new evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and vertigo disabilities are granted as service-connected.