Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, DDD, and IVDS is granted a 20 percent rating effective March 21, 2023. The other issues are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, except for the periods when he was already receiving a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, IVDS, and degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the cervical spine due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder conditions were granted increased ratings of 40 percent for the left shoulder condition and 30 percent for the right shoulder condition effective March 18, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, spine, knee and left ankle conditions, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tension type headaches are granted a 50% rating. The left shoulder instability with history of rotator cuff is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A noncompensable rating is granted for left shoulder scars. The low back disability, degenerative arthritis with IVDS, and radiculopathy in both lower extremities are all denied. Ratings in excess of 20% for left knee strain, right knee strain, hemorrhoids, and maxillary sinusitis are also denied. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of increased ratings for service-connected knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including instability, are rated at 20 percent each since October 13, 2020. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to her military service. The claims for service connection will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is granted as service connected. The claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to exposure to toxins at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis and PTSD, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or a current disability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating.,Service connection for a cervical spine condition and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy due to that condition are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis, fibrous union, nonunion or loss of head of the humerus. The highest possible rating under current regulations is 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to preexisting bilateral hearing loss and low back pain syndrome, as there were issues with the validity of the 1969 audiogram and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has restored the original ratings of 30 percent for both right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), finding that it was incurred during active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and back conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is entitled to a new examination to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hand degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and thus favoring the Veteran's claim. The decision was based on the Veteran's reported work duties during military service as a warehouse supply handler.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hip, right knee, and left knee disorders due to deficiencies in medical opinions and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the Veteran's case and requires VA examinations to be conducted. The claims for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right knee disability and TDIU are both REMANDED.