Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral hip osteoarthritis, including whether it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left wrist DJD and/or due to exposure to environmental toxins.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on ten issues has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right foot disability is granted with a 20% rating. The claims for higher initial ratings for cerebellar tonsillar ectopia, service connection for acute strain of the right ankle, and service connection for shingles are REMANDED.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantial gainful employment, consistent with his training and experience as an over-the-road truck driver.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection for right foot disability other than pes planus, left foot disability other than pes planus, and left elbow disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted at 50%, 40%, and 40% respectively.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim prior to December 28, 2011. The RO is instructed to obtain a retrospective opinion addressing the Veteran's bilateral knee functional loss to flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, as well as right external popliteal neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, with all reasonable doubt resolved in her favor.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disorder and instability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee disorder, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability.

The Veteran's appeal to restore the 40 percent rating for IVDS from January 1, 2023 was dismissed as moot because the RO restored the rating.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for his back disability, and the Board dismissed the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, finding that her injury occurred during Reserve duty in January 2004 and is caused by this injury.

The claims for higher initial ratings of right and left knee disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical inquiry.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right knee osteoarthritis with painful motion from April 1, 2015, and a 10 percent rating for right knee instability from April 1, 2015 to May 4, 2018. The claim for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for right knee instability was denied from May 5, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.