Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder bursitis with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability can be adjudicated. The claims file must be updated with the Veteran's SSA records and earning reports, and the case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to determine if his current back disability is related to service or preexisting asymptomatic scoliosis, and whether any increase in severity during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip disability and its relationship to service-connected conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a left hip disability, which may be related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with sacroiliac injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate disability rating for left knee instability are remanded due to inadequate medical evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, left knee arthritis, right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy.,All issues related to these conditions have been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied increased disability evaluations for degenerative arthritis and chronic lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right and left ankles, currently rated at 10 percent each. The ratings are based on moderate limitation of motion without ankylosis.

The claim of service connection for fibromyalgia was denied. The appeal is remanded for the issues related to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for degenerative arthritis.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for allergic rhinitis. The claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened, but the appeal remains pending as it is remanded for additional development. The claims for service connection for a headache disability, cervical radiculopathy (right and left upper extremities), and a left knee disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right hip condition, are all found to be related to their respective periods of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear information regarding the Veteran's current employment status and income. The Veteran is required to complete a new VA Form 21-8940 and provide yearly income information for the period of May 2013 to present.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection, and other issues related to his right hand little finger instability with degenerative arthritis and ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection, and other issues related to his right hand little finger instability with degenerative arthritis and ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and polymyositis and inflammatory myopathy have been granted service connection. The sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and headache disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, migraines, PTSD, and TBI-related conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the appeal period from May 14, 2018, to September 7, 2021, and from September 18, 2021, to September 7, 2022. Effective September 7, 2021, he is in receipt of a 100% combined schedular disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right leg shin splints are granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, effective July 31, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, wrists, and hips.,Additional claims for hearing loss, left foot condition, right foot condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was granted, with some issues receiving higher ratings and others remaining at the current levels.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to assess his service-connected psychiatric disorder and lumbar spine disability.