Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was granted, with an initial evaluation of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development of his claims.

The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to May 5, 2010, was rated at 10 percent for osteoarthritis and granted a separate 10 percent rating for lateral instability. The current rating of 10 percent is appropriate given the limited range of motion and no significant instability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are rated at the maximum available ratings, while his migraine headaches do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional comments from a VA compensation examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed spinal, hip, and leg disabilities are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a left hip replacement are not service connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by active duty service, and there is no evidence linking them to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his hearing loss, gastrointestinal conditions, knee and elbow disabilities, as well as secondary service connection claims. The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case on severance of service connection for hearing loss and secondary service connection for low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development, including scheduling an examination and considering whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for PTSD and for increased ratings for his depressive disorder, lumbar strain with radiculitis, right tibia and fibula fracture residuals, and recurrent lumbar strain. The issue of TDIU is also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The RO has previously assigned a 20 percent rating, and the Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and compliance with VA procedures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no relationship between his current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 26, 2014 and in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and DDD of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hand disability is less likely than not related to his service, including any in-service motor vehicle accident and burn injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his cervical spine, low back, and right shoulder disabilities were denied. The appeals are based on the criteria set forth in VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected knee and wrist conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including osteoarthritis, spondylosis, facet arthropathy, and sacrioilitis, was incurred in service. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is not granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 31, 2012 for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity quadriceps tendon tear with osteoarthritis, status post repair is being remanded due to a request for a DRO hearing.