Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but remanded the issues of sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate retrospective medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability prior to January 27, 2015. The claim will be further evaluated with new examination and opinion.

The Board denied increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees prior to June 27, 2017. The case was remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left-hand and right-hand disorders due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no medical evidence to suggest a nexus between his current diagnosis and military service.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, degenerative arthritis, and chondromalacia patella was granted a 20 percent rating from June 28, 2013, and a 50 percent rating from December 20, 2017. The right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, degenerative arthritis, and chondromalacia patella was granted a 20 percent rating from June 28, 2013, and a 40 percent rating from December 20, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathies are being remanded due to deficiencies in the prior examinations, including failure to conduct validity testing.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the examination findings and the need for further clarification regarding left knee effusion, instability, and use of assistive devices.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate range of motion testing in the March 2022 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right foot hallux valgus (post bunionectomy) and right foot degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are proximately due to his service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension, left knee joint osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome, right knee osteoarthritis, left hip trochanteric pain syndrome with thigh impairment, and hypertension are found to meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined effect on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left elbow conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and psychiatric conditions. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions and determining if the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for her thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with scoliosis and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis status post metatarsal joint replacement and metatarsal resection, as well as her claim for a TDIU. The RO is instructed to obtain updated medical records, conduct examinations if necessary, and complete the formal application for TDIU (VA Form 21-8940).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current left knee disability, including degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a bilateral foot disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including post-surgery instability and osteoarthritis, has not met the criteria for a higher rating since October 14, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with TBI, shoulder impingement syndrome, and osteoarthritis of the left ankle, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions and awarded effective dates of July 31, 2014. The decision is based on newly associated STRs that were not previously considered.