Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, back disability, degenerative arthritis of the left and right ankles, as well as right and left knee disabilities have all been denied. The evidence does not support a compensable evaluation for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his left knee chondromalacia patella and major depressive disorder are not entitled to higher ratings. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's right 4th finger disability and degenerative arthritis in the right shoulder are not rated higher, but he is granted a TDIU since December 1, 2023. The service connection for traumatic brain injury remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran asserts that his current condition is related to service, but VA medical opinions are insufficient and need to be reconsidered.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 11, 2019 due to service-connected disabilities. Effective from August 11, 2019, the TDIU claim is granted as the Veteran already has a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability as new and relevant evidence had not been submitted to readjudicate the claim. The Veteran was diagnosed with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, but the RO found that the evidence did not show a nexus between her current condition and service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of his right little finger and an initial compensable rating for his scar on his right little finger. The evidence did not support higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome. The appellant's preexisting scoliosis was found to have clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and not been aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for osteoarthritis of the lower back, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to errors in the decision-making process prior to the current decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate examination and failure to consider lay statements regarding symptom onset.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spondylosis is being remanded due to inadequate medical examinations and opinions, as well as potential issues related to duty to assist.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for a neck disability as it was granted in a previous decision. The claim for an increased rating for tension headaches is denied.

The Board has found that there may be outstanding VA treatment records from the Veteran's service period and remanded for their retrieval to make a fully-informed decision on his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and limitation of flexion, finding that there is a continuity of symptoms since service.