Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board dismissed all the claims as they are related to a deceased Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss has been granted. The initial evaluations for right knee osteoarthritis and right ear hearing loss are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for generalized osteoarthritis and numbness of the hands due to insufficient development, including obtaining addendum VA opinions addressing the Veteran's contentions regarding herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, were evaluated based on their current manifestations. The Board denied higher ratings for these conditions as they did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder (degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome), right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and Crohn's disease have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has not met the threshold to establish current hearing loss 'disability' as required by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, osteoarthritis of the right hand, and osteoarthritis of the left hand have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a lumbosacral spine disability and increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis due to additional evidence being added to his case file.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability has been granted a 40 percent rating, effective from May 8, 2017. The other conditions have also received increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are granted a 50% disability rating from September 25, 2015. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective from the date of his claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hand and foot disabilities to include rheumatoid arthritis due to incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran served in Southwest Asia, where he was exposed to burn pit toxins.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that her current symptoms are related to in-service neck injuries and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist condition is at least as likely as not related to his active-duty service, granting service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations and medical opinions to assess his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for various shoulder, wrist, knee, and hamstring disabilities. The issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for left and right ankle arthritis have also been remanded.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was found to not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as it did not result in forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or ankylosis. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, despite his reported symptoms and limitations.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current knee disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's back condition is rated at 100% from January 22, 2020. The claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to October 18, 2019 and from January 22, 2020 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine ankylosing spondylitis, degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left shoulder osteoarthritis, and right shoulder osteoarthritis have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral elbow disabilities, and cervical spine disability are remanded.