Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unemployable at any point during the appellate period, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his sleep disorder, right hip disability, right ankle disability, TBI, actinic keratosis, and ingrown toenails.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incorrect legal standard used in the previous examination. The examiner needs to clarify whether the Veteran's pre-existing left hip disability clearly and unmistakably did not increase beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with stenosis was denied prior to March 10, 2017.,A subsequent increase in disability rating to 20 percent from March 10, 2017 to May 10, 2021 was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision, which dismissed the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings and a need for additional opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's foot conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 30 percent rating from May 20, 2020. The Veteran's migraine headaches were denied increased initial ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and herniated discs, have prevented him from participating in substantially gainful employment since September 29, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptomatology. His right ear hearing loss and right knee disability remain under consideration.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for sleep apnea, right hip condition, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's deviated septum is not rated compensably due to lack of obstruction.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination opinions and failure to address specific evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis due to inadequate examination and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his diagnosed right shoulder, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The claims are being returned for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disability is granted. The Board finds that the evidence presented since the May 2015 rating decision is new and relevant, thus reopening the claim. However, the issue of secondary service connection remains remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and degenerative joint disease was granted effective February 11, 2013. From November 14, 2018, his disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome, is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The rating for the right knee instability remains remanded, as does the ratings for left knee strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.,The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted service connection in August 29, 2011. The Board has also remanded this issue to determine if an earlier effective date is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral shoulder conditions, and hypertrophic gastritis due to a lack of adequate VA etiology opinions.