Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the examination findings and additional testing is required to determine the current severity of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has maintained substantial gainful employment throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to pending service connection issues for colon cancer, lymphoma, multiple melanoma, and esophageal cancer residuals. The TDIU prior to November 19, 2015, will be readjudicated after these issues are resolved.

The Board denied service connection for sacroiliac osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and headaches as these conditions are not related to service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaption grant due to his combined rating and lack of total disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is related to his in-service back injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that his current condition is not related to service and specifically noting that there was no medical evidence or other probative evidence to support his contention of cold exposure during service in Korea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and thus denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The issue is now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD and arthritis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome with meniscal tear, and left shoulder osteoarthritis. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the final denial in December 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating IVDS Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent effective June 15, 2018. The initial rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent each. TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis was rated at 10 percent prior to May 8, 2019 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence insufficient to warrant a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The case is being returned for an addendum VA opinion that considers the evidence of abnormal gait and its relation to the Veteran's left knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cardiac disability, higher initial ratings for left shoulder and back disabilities, and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's employment history needs clarification, and VA treatment records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and residuals of a right knee injury with arthralgia have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in previous medical opinions and a need for an addendum opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hip disorders and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities because there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's current hip conditions are related to his in-service fall injury. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a right foot disability due to an in-service helicopter landing. The Veteran's STRs do not indicate any right foot injury, but he reports continuity of symptoms since service. A new medical opinion is needed to determine if his current disabilities are related to his in-service injury.