Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current disability is at least as likely as not caused by his military service. The other issues on appeal are either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent since March 30, 2020. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of service connection for a neurological condition related to his right shoulder.

The Veteran's initial rating for insomnia disorder has been increased to 50 percent, effective from August 28, 2017. A TDIU was granted from August 28, 2017, until June 24, 2019.

From April 7, 2009 to September 15, 2022, the Veteran's service-connected back disability has been productive of functional limitations that have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,Effective September 15, 2022, a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's spine disabilities and their relation to service. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability, but remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder and hip arthritis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU from June 9, 2009, finding that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims for back condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current back condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including internal derangement with osteoarthritis and posttraumatic arthritis, was rated at 10 percent prior to February 15, 2021. Since August 1, 2021, the Veteran has been rated at 60 percent for chronic residuals of a left knee replacement surgery. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating for hip disabilities, as well as a remand for a back disability, is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right foot disability is related to service, specifically if it was aggravated by a preexisting condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current headache disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's initial rating for right wrist degenerative arthritis and carpal tunnel syndromes was denied, but a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent was granted for the right wrist disability from July 12, 2022. The ratings for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome remain at 20 percent and 30 percent respectively.

The Veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis, bone cysts, and ganglion cysts are granted service connection. The bilateral foot condition (claimed as gout) is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, adjustment disorder with anxiety, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and other conditions were denied. The Veteran was granted a separate 20 percent rating for her right knee meniscal tear from September 25, 2019. Other increased ratings were also denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of whiplash injuries to the shoulders and granted a TDIU rating from September 9, 2020.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to the appellant's death.

The Board has restored the prior disability ratings of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee and ligamentous strain with instability, right knee.