Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, tinnitus, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Hepatitis C, a thoracolumbar spine disability, and a left knee disability, as the evidence did not support a finding of a current diagnosis or a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that she was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, denied a higher rating for the lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, and granted separate ratings of 10 percent each for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. A TDIU was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sinusitis, but remanded claims for post-traumatic osteoarthritis and osteoporosis due to a need for further evidence.

The Board granted ratings of 70 percent for major depressive disorder and 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, while denying higher ratings for sleep apnea with COPD and chronic headaches. TDIU was granted based on the service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date of March 9, 2015, for service connection related to osteochondroma.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of posterior cervical fusion C5-C7 with degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral knee tendonitis and osteoarthritis, and tension headaches (also claimed as migraines).

The Board denied the claims for an increased rating and service connection, but remanded certain issues for further development.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and an earlier effective date, as well as a TDIU claim, due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for new examinations.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and bipolar with sleep problems/insomnia), left hip osteoarthritis, and left shoulder strain.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right ankle with soft tissue swelling, and for radiculopathy in both lower extremities due to a service-connected back disability. The Veteran was also granted an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as remanded certain issues for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including back, hip and knee disabilities.

The Board remands the matter for an adequate VA examination to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability to include PTSD, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder as the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were not verified and there was no competent evidence linking his current disabilities to active service.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, to include left knee osteoarthritis, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected total right knee replacement and granted a 60 percent rating for the service-connected total right knee replacement.

The Board granted service connection for headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for right hand carpal tunnel, left hand carpal tunnel, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and lumbar strain (back condition). The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a total individual disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis due to a concurrent election of administrative review options.