Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations and TDIU prior to January 21, 2022 due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was reopened and granted. The appeal regarding severance of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, as well as the associated peripheral neuropathy claims were remanded due to conflicting medical evidence on whether the Veteran has diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's left hip disability, including its severity and whether it experiences flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's low back disability is presumed incurred in service, but there are questions about its onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent right and left foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the January 2022 VA evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability to include degenerative arthritis, invertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbosacral strain. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported symptoms during active service and ongoing symptoms since then.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to new evidence obtained by VA. The issues on appeal are related to ratings for osteoarthritis of the right hip with various limitations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 20 percent rating, but no higher, for left knee recurrent subluxation with osteoarthritis and instability is granted. The claim for a separate initial 20 percent rating, but no higher, for left knee disability with limitation of flexion is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration, including review of additional evidence submitted by the Veteran and his attorney. The issues include reconsideration of TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Veteran's right ankle disability claim is remanded as the RO failed to consider his request for rescheduling due to homelessness, resulting in a denial without proper consideration of this issue.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (polysubstance abuse disorder and depression) claim is remanded as new and material evidence was not considered, and an additional VA examination is needed.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability claim is remanded for a contemporaneous VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.,The Veteran's left knee limitation of flexion claim is remanded for a contemporaneous VA examination and determination of whether the effective date should be earlier than April 14, 2015.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis claim is remanded to determine if the severance of the separate rating was proper.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite of the feet and granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran does not have current residuals of frostbite on his feet, but has a current back disability that began in-service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is granted, beginning May 10, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, specifically whether it is related to service or aggravated by peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claim for a secondary service connection opinion regarding whether any of the Veteran's foot disabilities (other than his bilateral foot drop) are at least as likely as not related to, proximately due to, or aggravated beyond their natural progression by his bilateral foot drop.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and obstructive sleep apnea are granted service connection. The lumbar spine disorder and asthma/rhinitis issues have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities are granted. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing knee conditions were aggravated by his military service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability and back disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a left lateral depressed tibial plateau fracture and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 30 percent effective October 7, 2020. The rating was increased from 10 percent prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition, including degenerative arthritis and cyst, is not related to service or a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.