Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for osteoarthritis of the ring and little finger of the right hand is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability resulted in severe postoperative residuals and therapeutic immobilization of a major joint for more than a month, resulting in a temporary total rating. The cervical spine disability was granted at 20 percent from January 12, 2015, to January 2, 2019, with no further increase in rating sought.

The Board has dismissed appeals for initial ratings and effective dates related to depression, anxiety, and a low back disability. The remaining issues of increased ratings for the low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as service connection for upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right eye cataract and right knee osteoarthritis due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his conditions are related to his military service, including exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for a bilateral foot disorder. The Veteran's testimony during his hearing that he experienced internal foot pain during service is being considered in rendering the nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The claims were remanded for further development in one case.,Service connection was established for these conditions based on a finding that they are related to service due to exposure to acoustic trauma during active duty.

The Board has determined that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU is moot as the Veteran's combined disability rating does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, the minimum compensable rating. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board denied service connection for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities on a direct basis, finding that the conditions did not have their onset in service or are otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury.,Right wrist disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its secondary nature to service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to December 1, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities not preventing him from engaging in sedentary employment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right shoulder and knee conditions has been REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations. The issues of rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder osteoarthritis, recurrent dislocation, right knee chondromalacia patella, and left knee chondromalacia patella are still pending.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's employment history and the need for clarification through a completed TDIU application form. The appeal is not about service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for TDIU, increased ratings for back disability, hypertension, and radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of his appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and remanded the remaining claims based on exposure to ionizing radiation. The Veteran's claims will be returned to the AOJ with the Under Secretary for Health's report.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of thoroughness in explaining the rationale behind relying on the May 2018 and May 2019 VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and initial ratings for various knee, hip, and spine disabilities have been dismissed due to his request to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for new and material evidence. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining additional medical opinions and potentially locating outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, and low back disability due to inadequate medical opinions. Additional evidence is needed from VA treatment records, and addendum medical opinions are required regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.