Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper range of motion assessment in the VA examination, and further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional medical opinions and further proceedings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient development and consideration of evidence, including a lack of nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back conditions are not related to his military service, including a claimed injury during active duty. The evidence does not support an in-service event or nexus to service.

Your appeal for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been dismissed because you died during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (Major Depressive Disorder), and bilateral hand osteoarthritis due to outstanding VA medical records not being included in the claims file.

The Board denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, left ankle osteoarthritis, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss as they were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were caused by or increased in severity by the right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to service or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, left shoulder arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since February 22, 2016. The Board finds that the combined effect of these disabilities has precluded his ability to work.

A rating of 70 percent for PTSD prior to March 1, 2019 is granted. A rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as of July 18, 2016, and prior to September 22, 2016, is denied.