Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders and neck, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active service or a service-connected disability.,Both the bilateral shoulder condition and neck condition are considered 'direct' service connection cases, meaning they were not caused by a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, including osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence of chronic back pain related to an in-service injury and concluding that any current condition is more likely due to natural causes over time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back condition, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within the presumptive period, and concluding that the current back conditions are more likely due to normal aging rather than an in-service injury.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted a 10% evaluation, effective from May 27, 2021. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is granted a 20% evaluation, effective from October 6, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

Service connection is granted for benign essential tremors, back pain, and tinnitus.,The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service fall and current condition. The Board also noted that the disability did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability due to uncertainty regarding functional ankylosis and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA treatment records and new theories of entitlement raised by the Veteran. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence and opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, tinnitus associated with TBI, and headaches related to TBI, are not considered sufficient for a total disability rating based on unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and complete VA forms related to employment information.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's employment and income.

The Veteran's jaw, elbow, hand, hip, knee, and shoulder disorders are found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, finding that it had its onset during his military service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability with degenerative arthritis, right shoulder disability with degenerative arthritis and labral tear and tendinopathy, and right knee disability with degenerative arthritis have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability is being remanded due to insufficient medical examination.