Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorders and an incomplete opinion from the March 2021 VA examiner. A new examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not causally related to any in-service incident and outweighed by the VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and knee disorders due to potential issues with diagnosis and causation. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current conditions, which may be related to his military service or pre-existing right shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,His left knee and ankle disorders are not found to be related to his military service, with the exception of a right knee disorder that may be secondary to his left knee disorder. The claims for left knee and ankle disorders are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not found to be related to his military service.,His right knee disorder is also not found to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, despite his reported symptoms and educational background.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional evidence and an examination, as well as potential changes in rating criteria following the Veteran's recent total right knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to address functional loss due to flare-ups and repetitive use over time, as the previous VA examinations were inadequate in this regard.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues concerning his left knee disability and TDIU prior to July 13, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for disability of the thoracolumbar spine and sleep apnea due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability, including on an extraschedular basis, is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's left foot disability has been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The other issues related to the hips and knee have been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's left knee traumatic arthritis with internal derangement, limitation of flexion, is rated at 10 percent and denied an evaluation in excess of this.,The Veteran's left knee traumatic arthritis with internal derangement, limitation of extension, is rated at 0 percent and denied a compensable initial evaluation.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with internal derangement, limitation of flexion, is rated at 10 percent and denied an evaluation in excess of this.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with internal derangement, limitation of extension, is rated at 0 percent and denied a compensable initial evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to his death.

The appeal for an earlier effective date prior to March 26, 2009, for the grant of service connection for cervical spondylosis with minor canal stenosis and minor cord compression with degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his neck disability remains pending. His eligibility for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status is also pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence received after a prior final denial. The Veteran's right knee disorders are currently being reviewed on their merits, with an emphasis on determining whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for breast cancer and degenerative arthritis, unspecified due to potential service connection based on exposure to burn pits during her Gulf War service. The VA will obtain additional service personnel records and conduct medical examinations to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left wrist disabilities, as well as his right ankle disability prior to September 21, 2021, were denied. A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for right ankle instability beginning January 25, 2016.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for right knee osteoarthritis to left knee strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine has been granted. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for HIV related illnesses is remanded due to new symptoms reported at his hearing.