Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his left index finger disability and service connection for his left wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his service-connected left index finger disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and clarification of the rating criteria used.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her active service and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's right thumb disability is being remanded for additional examination and development, including a neurological evaluation. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the interrelated nature with the rating issue.

The Veteran's lumbar DDD has been granted a restoration of a 40 percent rating, effective the date of reduction.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected lumbar DDD at the L4 vertebra is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. Service connection for residuals of tuberculosis, an eye disorder, and a sinus condition are denied.,Service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma due to in-service radiation exposure is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues, including whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions. The TDIU claim is also being reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for status post left clavicle fracture, osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint is denied.,A separate rating of 10 percent for deformity of the left clavicle due to malunion under diagnostic code 5203 is granted.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle disabilities are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee instability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The claims will be reviewed with new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, right shoulder osteoarthritis, bilateral radiculopathy, and right foot hammertoes, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability required a surgical procedure on January 26, 2015. The Board granted a temporary total rating for convalescence due to surgery from January 26, 2015 to April 27, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right arm disability is related to service or due to his service-connected cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of cervical spine with cervical loss of motion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for initial compensable ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, resulting in the dismissal of these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current disabilities and his in-service injury. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have arthritis during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction of his disability rating for lumbar spine disability from 40 to 20 percent, effective December 28, 2013, was dismissed due to the death of the appellant before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issues of entitlement to initial increased disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss on an extraschedular basis and for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been reopened, but service connection is granted only for the left knee disability. The appeal regarding the right knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).