Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis was rated at 20 percent from October 3, 2008 to November 13, 2011. The rating was increased to 40 percent effective November 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and scars, back, status post shave biopsy were denied. The rating for degenerative arthritis was not granted as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip disabilities, and degenerative disc disease to include degenerative arthritis of the lower back. The issues are related to whether these conditions had their onset during military service or are otherwise causally or etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees is rated at 10 percent each, with a separate rating for limitation of extension in both knees. The Veteran's hypertension is not compensably disabling.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee was denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a higher rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis and strain of the lumbosacral spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve. The effective dates for the ratings assigned are also being remanded.,Additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his service-connected IVDS with degenerative arthritis and strain of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her lumbar spine and service connection for migraines are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial review of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder strain and impingement syndrome as these conditions are at least as likely as not having had their onset during active duty.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and the issue of increased ratings for cervical degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for an additional examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for chronic bronchitis, left ankle sprain, PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the left hand and TDIU are remanded due to need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a painful joint disorder (likely rheumatoid arthritis), right hand disorders, back disorders, and right knee disorders. The Board finds that further development is needed in these areas.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether his right foot fractures were aggravated by his service-connected pes planus with metatarsalgia and osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service, which could impact his claims for hairy cell leukemia and its secondary conditions. The VA will need to conduct further development in this regard.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is remanded due to the need for a new evaluation considering his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from January 23, 2013, finding that the Veteran's condition warranted such an increase based on his symptoms and findings at the August 2013 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim due to evidence showing his service-connected disabilities make him unable to work in a physical environment, and he is not meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and radiculopathy, as well as service connection for a right shoulder condition and neck condition. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities from November 17, 2015. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has worsened, and the current assigned rating does not accurately reflect its severity. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the extent of his disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent for the period prior to May 7, 2012 and from October 25, 2017 to February 5, 2018. The appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of his disability during other periods on appeal.