Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 19, 2019, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ should secure an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's total service-connected disabilities, including loss of use of extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant treatment records and providing a fully adequate VA medical opinion. The AOJ will obtain any missing records, including those from Prisma Health, and provide the Veteran with another VA examination.

The Veteran's disability rating for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), lumbar bulging disc, and degenerative arthritis (lumbar spine disability) was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent effective July 1, 2022. The reduction was improper as the provisions of 38 C.F.R. were not considered. As a result, the Veteran's rating is restored to 20 percent effective July 1, 2022. The claim for an increased rating for service-connected tinnitus remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer, migraines, nerve damage-related right hemidiaphragm, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection for cervical spine disabilities, and a new VA opinion is needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar disc disease with bulging of intervertebral discs and right knee chondromalacia patellae, osteoarthritis, and tendonitis/tendinosis have been granted. The Board found new and relevant evidence since the final denial supporting these claims.

Prior to June 18, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As of June 18, 2021, his single service-connected disability did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating were not met.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to March 18, 2019 is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for his left shoulder and left arm disorders, finding that they were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected partial left foot drop with left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cold weather injury residuals of the lower legs, bilateral degenerative arthritis and interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis of the feet, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions in the January 2021 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship to service.,The Board also denied service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis, noting that there is no evidence of record supporting these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantial gainful employment prior to April 15, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA under Chapter 35 were denied as the evidence does not support a finding that he was employed full-time prior to September 2, 2006.

The Veteran's right forearm scar and fracture of the radius, right arm were not rated as compensable. The Board found no evidence that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran's fracture middle finger, left hand was not linked to his service. The VA examiner opined it is less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis and dermatitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his knees and right hand De Quervain's disease were dismissed. The claim for a higher evaluation for the right hand condition was granted with a rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically degenerative arthritis, was not rated higher than 20% prior to March 15, 2022, and 30% from that date. The Veteran also received a separate 10% rating for left knee instability throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent for the period from April 26, 2021, to September 6, 2021. A higher rating is not warranted during this time frame.