Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder strain with impingement syndrome, limitation of motion was denied as the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 40 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee condition, right knee condition, and low back condition due to insufficient opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis disability rendered him unable to obtain and sustain substantially gainful employment effective December 16, 2015.

The Veteran's left knee disability and heart condition have been denied.,The Veteran's hammertoes with gout and right knee strain are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown during or within one year after his military service, and there is no credible evidence of herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran was able to maintain employment at a university despite his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and foot conditions. The Board found the evidence did not support a TDIU prior to August 16, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and insufficient information regarding range of motion testing. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's left foot osteoarthritis is granted as incurred in the line of duty during active duty for training. The issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated as 20 percent prior to October 24, 2017 and denied a higher rating.,For the period from October 24, 2017, the Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his claims, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a right shoulder disorder, a left shoulder disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, a left knee disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder. As a result, the appeals are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis with DDD.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,An initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's left wrist tendon laceration is granted, effective from September 11, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome. The decision is based on a positive nexus opinion provided by the Veteran's private treating physician.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to service connection for various foot and neck disabilities, as well as a claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD. The Veteran's death during the appeal process resulted in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, status post herniated disc surgery was denied. Service connection claims for left shoulder condition (osteoarthritis), right shoulder condition (osteoarthritis), right knee condition (osteoarthritis), and left knee condition (osteoarthritis with history of total left knee replacement) were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left thigh disability is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence addressing whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service. The case will be returned for further review and an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back disorder, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis.

Service connection for bilateral knee and hip osteoarthritis is granted.,The Veteran's neck disability is remanded to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected right ankle, bilateral knee, or bilateral hip disabilities.