Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and hip conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability (degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear) and left knee disability (degenerative arthritis and internal derangement), finding that both disabilities are at least as likely as not due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury, continuity of symptoms, and medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 21, 2014; in excess of 20 percent from February 21, 2014 to January 10, 2018 and in excess of 40 percent from January 11, 2018 for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis and disc herniation has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right thumb degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including PTSD, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, and musculoskeletal issues. The Board found that the combination of these disabilities renders him unemployable but not solely due to any single disability. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has granted service connection for osteopenia, but the remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and right ankle degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes did not require regulation of activities, while his right ankle arthritis did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new Diagnostic Code 5271.

The Board has found that the medical opinions obtained by the AOJ are inadequate for adjudicative purposes and therefore, a further remand is necessary to allow the Veteran to fully develop his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected headaches and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The issues regarding homonymous quadrantanopsia, headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and hypertension have been granted initial ratings. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded, as are the issues of increased rating for GERD.

The Board dismissed the referral of a claim for clear and unmistakable error in a 1995 rating decision because the July 1995 hearing officer decision was not final, and therefore could not be subject to a collateral attack on the basis of CUE.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis, left ankle disability, and left hamstring disability.,There was no evidence of a left knee or left ankle disability during service. The Veteran was not diagnosed with these conditions until decades after his discharge from active service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was found to have a limitation of extension to at least 15 degrees throughout the period on appeal, and he is now entitled to an initial disability rating of 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disabilities. The claim will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and respiratory disability (COPD) based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and subsequent symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left foot degenerative arthritis, as well as the TDIU claim prior to December 4, 2014, are being remanded due to a need for additional medical examination.,The SMC claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically his in-service complaints and diagnosis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff condition, right shoulder rotator cuff condition, and right wrist degenerative arthritis as no VA Form 10182 was submitted to appeal under the AMA framework.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.