Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his left shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis was granted, but the current assigned rating of 20 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral knee disability are granted service connection. Service connection for diabetes is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives, particularly regarding retrospective opinions on the Veteran's low back disorder.

The Veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, but the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 were not met as he did not meet the requirement of having a service-connected disability rated totally disabling for at least ten years immediately preceding death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for further clarification regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis. The issue is not fully resolved and requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability, claimed as secondary to his service-connected low back disability, is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the hip disability is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's left knee sprain with instability is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from December 17, 2007, to the present. From February 24, 2015, entitlement for left knee osteoarthritis is granted a separate 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 10 percent prior to August 1, 2023 and at 20 percent from that date. The left ankle fracture and dislocation are currently rated at 20 percent. The left hip strain with arthritis and right hip strain with arthritis remain rated at 20 percent each. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with knee instability is rated at 10 percent prior to August 1, 2023 and remains rated at 40 percent from that date.,The Board has remanded the cases of left hip strain with arthritis and right hip strain with arthritis for additional examination. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with knee instability is also being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy have not been found to warrant a higher rating, with the exception of a temporary increase in rating since September 6, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding medical records and providing an adequate opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran was granted TDIU for the period between February 21, 2013, to May 15, 2014.,TDIU was denied for the period from May 16, 2014, to August 31, 2020. The Veteran's combined rating at this time did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The decision acknowledges the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service and finds that there is relative equipoise in determining whether a pre-existing condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's hip disabilities and TDIU claim, including VA examinations and private medical records. The claims are therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy due to inadequate examination records. The Veteran's statements and clinical records will be used to determine the severity of his conditions during the specified time period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's right shoulder disability claim for development due to an administrative error in the assignment of a hearing docket.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain, bilateral knee instability and meniscal condition, and low back disability are all granted. The right ankle sprain is granted with service connection established. Increased ratings for the knees and a lower rating for the low back prior to August 17, 2022 are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of September 11, 2018. Prior to this date, the evidence did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents, including for rheumatoid arthritis, right hip degenerative joint disease and acetabular cyst status post total hip replacement, osteoarthritis or unspecified joints, psoriatic arthritis, hypertension, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, compromised immune system, fever sores, and enlarged liver. The remand requires additional development to address the Veteran's exposure to chemicals during his duties as a missile crewman.