Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100 percent from February 29, 2012. The RO denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to February 29, 2012, or based on a single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and left ankle condition was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for right and left ankle fractures, as well as degenerative arthritis/IVDS of the cervical spine have been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving a non-compensable (zero percent) rating for his service-connected ankle disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of these claims.

The Veteran's tension headaches were rated at a noncompensable level prior to May 10, 2018. As of that date, the Veteran was granted a 50 percent disability rating for his tension headaches.,For degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, the Veteran received a 30 percent disability rating from May 20, 2020 onwards. Prior to this date, he did not receive any higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of etiological opinions. The Veteran's complaints of low back pain, left knee arthritis, and cervical spine DDD are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and intervertebral disc syndrome is granted a 40 percent disability rating prior to December 6, 2021. From December 6, 2021, the disability rating remains at 40 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence does not support an increased rating from October 14, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and an appropriate VA examination to assess his left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining new VA opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee and lower back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination and treatment records. The case is being returned for a new VA examination, updated medical opinions, and obtaining of additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and medical opinions regarding whether a left hip disability, including osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, is related to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran contends that his current hip condition is due to his service-connected right knee injury.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted an initial increased rating of 40 percent effective December 3, 2019. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine remains rated at 20 percent prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected spondylolysis bilateral L-5 with degenerative arthritis was denied prior to May 17, 2022.,From May 17, 2022, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his back disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development. The lumbar spine strain claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while left and right ankle degenerative arthritis claims do not warrant an increase in their current 10% ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required before a final decision can be made on the service connection claim for low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and retrospective opinions regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the cases, and his conditions were not found to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.