Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as Degenerative Disc Disease with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that it had its onset during service.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent. The Board has found that a rating in excess of 40 percent for the back disability is warranted due to functional loss during flare-ups. The issues of entitlement to separate ratings for the lower extremities have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of the current 20 percent or 10 percent ratings assigned.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it was incurred in service and is related to the Veteran's in-service back injuries.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right-sided sciatica, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, lumbar spondylosis with facet joint disease, and lumbar degenerative disc disease, is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral ear disability, tinnitus, sleep disorder, right knee disability, and left knee strain with degenerative arthritis due to incomplete development of records and inadequate medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 20 percent rating for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, as the reduction to a 10 percent rating was improper due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle, knee, and hip disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU effective June 30, 2013.

The Veteran's left total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent from September 1, 2021 to July 22, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of cervical spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities, finding that the earliest claim was filed on September 27, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran is requested to provide authorization for any relevant private treatment records and worker's compensation records.

The Veteran's bowel dysfunction is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of incontinence severe enough to necessitate wearing a pad or extensive leakage with fairly frequent involuntary bowel movements.,The Veteran has been found unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded nine issues related to service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, insomnia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and osteoarthritis. The Veteran's in-service stressors include exposure to the noise of cannon fire and guard duty.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle primary osteoarthritis, finding that it had its onset during active duty due to marching in ill-fitting boots.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical segmental dysfunction and left ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of these conditions having onset during service. The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for back strain was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left and right knees is related to his service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptoms since the initial injury in 1974.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptoms since the initial injury in 1973.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claim for service connection based on new and relevant evidence. The issue of entitlement to service connection is remanded due to insufficient VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and a TDIU is granted for the period prior to October 4, 2021.