Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 3, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic low back strain and degenerative arthritis of the left wrist, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The appeals are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee instability was granted, with a rating of 20% from May 9, 2006 to February 7, 2021. The claim for a higher rating after February 7, 2021 was denied.

The claim for service connection for a right hip disability, including degenerative arthritis, was denied because no new and relevant evidence was submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine were granted. The claim for left shoulder degenerative arthritis was denied. The claims for right and left hip osteoarthritis as secondary conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's request for specially adapted housing or special home adaptations was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability that precludes locomotion without aid.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee strain from February 10, 2019, to September 15, 2022.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for knee conditions were denied, but the claim for service connection for a back disability was remanded.

The appeal for service connection of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is remanded. The Board needs more evidence, including private treatment records and VA records.

The veteran was granted a 40% rating for three service-connected conditions effective October 1, 2015. The claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied, and the claim for residuals of service-connected scars was remanded.

The veteran's service connection for a low back disorder, including degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, is granted. The decision is based on the presumption of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome and cervical strain. The VA needs to conduct new examinations addressing both direct and secondary service connection theories.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a right knee disability because the Veteran has not had a VA examination to determine if the disability is related to service. The Board will consider new evidence submitted during an applicable evidentiary window.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for their lumbar spine disorder was granted, with a 50% rating assigned.

The Board denied all claims for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, GAD with panic attacks, and alcohol use disorder was granted. The claims for asthma, GERD, right knee degenerative arthritis, and eczema were remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for gout was denied. The claim for a foot condition was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for various hip and knee conditions. The VA needs to correct errors in evaluating the severity of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee, left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy were denied. The claims for service connection for left hip avascular necrosis of hip status post left hip arthroplasty and right hip osteoarthritis, hip strain, and avascular necrosis were remanded.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU was granted, with the effective date set to April 29, 2004. The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since that date.