Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection and initial rating for the Veteran's disabilities due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to an in-service back injury and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance the Veteran's right shoulder condition is aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder condition, and thus grants service connection for this secondary condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues, specifically the spine disability claim. The neuropathy claim will be reconsidered after final disposition of the spine claim.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to insufficient consideration of service treatment records from July and August 1970.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability and entitlement to a TDIU, finding that there was no evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

A higher 40 percent initial rating is granted for the degenerative arthritis of the spine and spinal stenosis from November 13, 2006 to January 1, 2018. The claim for a higher rating since January 2, 2018 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability and bilateral ankle disability, finding no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptomatology. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for a dermatological fungal disability of the bilateral foot.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lack of evidence showing VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment during the January 1993 left wrist surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hysterectomy residuals and various orthopedic issues, have rendered her unable to work in any physical or sedentary job throughout the appeal period. The Board has granted TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new examination and etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee condition, which is claimed as secondary to his service-connected back and left knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his in-service activities and there was no evidence of chronic back problems since service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and related radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are directly related to his active military service.

The Veteran's left knee instability is now rated at 20 percent, effective June 21, 2016. The PTSD rating remains unchanged at 50 percent since February 27, 2014.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disability and has granted ratings for the low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The rating for the low back disability is being remanded to determine if a higher rating should be assigned prior to April 12, 2019.

The Board has determined that more development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his thoracolumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, as well as his service connection claims for lower extremity disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a left-hand strain was granted. The issue of service connection for a stomach disorder, bilateral foot disorder and cervical spine disorder were remanded.,Service connection for a stomach disorder is denied as there is no credible evidence that the Veteran underwent an in-service event, injury or disease.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of extension and lateral instability, has been rated at 20 percent since July 12, 2013. The TDIU claim is granted effective from July 12, 2013.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's left leg neurological condition is related to his military service and whether it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.