Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee conditions are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected left finger disorder is denied. The Board has found that he is currently receiving the maximum available rating (10%) and there are no additional factors to warrant an increase in this case. Service connection for a left foot disorder remains pending.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that it did not more nearly approximate limitation of motion midway between the side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, based on limitation of motion. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either knee.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back strain and degenerative arthritis has been reopened. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee surgical scar, left knee osteoarthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, post total right knee replacement, left knee instability, mild osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of updated medical records and need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, lumbar back disability with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lower left extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for left thumb degenerative arthritis and neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for lumbosacral and thoracic strain with degenerative arthritis prior to August 10, 2017, and greater than 20 percent effective that date.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee osteoarthritis with tears of the ACL and MCL ligaments, nondisplaced fracture of the medial tibial spine, and probable osteochondral injury in the lateral femoral condyle, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have all been granted service connection.,The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee osteoarthritis with tears of the ACL and MCL ligaments, nondisplaced fracture of the medial tibial spine, and probable osteochondral injury in the lateral femoral condyle, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have all been granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, finding that there is not sufficient evidence to establish a link between her current condition and her military service.

The appellant withdrew their appeals for various rating claims, including those related to peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, right clavicle fracture, right foot neuropathy and sciatica, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that his current sleep apnea is related to active duty service and grants the claim. For the other issues, the Board finds new examinations are needed as the Veteran contends an increase in disability level.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, osteoarthritis of both lower legs, testicular cancer, skin cancer, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all remanded. The Board acknowledges the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents during his active duty service but finds insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from February 5, 2018 to April 19, 2021.,From April 20, 2021 onwards, the issue of TDIU is moot as his combined disability rating is now at 100%.