Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since July 1, 2011. The Board granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examinations in the prior rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury and continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine began during service and is related to his in-service neck strain. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder with anxious distress and migraine headaches, prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU effective December 29, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease and granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's heart condition is not related to service, but her bilateral knee conditions are found to be due to in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis, finding that it began during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are denied as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nerve disability remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disorders, as well as his claim for TDIU prior to August 28, 2017. Additional evidence was submitted since the last SSOC but not previously considered by the AOJ.

The Board has found that the current medical evidence is insufficient to determine whether the Veteran's left hip condition is related to his service-connected left knee disorder or if it was caused by in-service activities. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including residuals of meniscectomy and instability, is rated at 10 percent. The limitation of flexion remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his left knee and left upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding a potential theory of service connection based on posttraumatic arthritis.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's low back condition is also granted as service connected.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to her service-connected disabilities, and a rating of 30 percent for her neck disability from August 1, 2013 to July 19, 2019 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current right knee joint osteoarthritis had its onset during active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his service-connected spine disability prior to September 5, 2018. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment or care, and the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The appeal for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1310 is remanded due to unclear causes of death.