Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar osteoarthritis, service connection for hypertension, service connection for a psychiatric disability, and service connection for headaches due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and strain, as well as femoral nerve radiculopathy, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, obturator nerve radiculopathy, external cutaneous nerve of the thigh radiculopathy, and ilio-inguinal nerve radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tear, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions are found to be caused by the Veteran's service-connected right little finger disability.,The decision also includes a remand for further evaluation of the Veteran's claimed left hand pain.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee and left knee osteoarthritis are remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess the severity of his disabilities, including any flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's PTSD with stimulant use disorder, cocaine, in sustained remission is rated at 50 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no current right ankle disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis with chronic instability is granted a 20 percent rating, the maximum allowed. Service connection for his left knee and right knee degenerative arthritis, as well as his bilateral hip osteoarthritis, are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 40 percent for multilevel osteoarthritis and lumbosacral spine DDD was granted, effective July 7, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for new evaluations of his right shoulder, cervical spine, and radiculopathy conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been withdrawn by her authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and non-VA treatment records. The Veteran's cause of death is being evaluated to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed to or caused his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis has been reopened and granted.,Service connection was denied for left knee degenerative arthritis, but the claim is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board denied service connection for a degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronic symptoms since service separation. The claim for entitlement to TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are currently rated at 10 percent, but a higher rating is warranted for the entire rating period prior to January 16, 2020.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 40 percent rating, but his left lower extremity radiculopathy and back disability ratings remain remanded for further evaluation. The SMC claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tear and impingement syndrome, lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament tears with degenerative arthritis.,The Board has also granted service connection for these conditions on a causation basis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of increased ratings for right upper extremity RSD and right wrist disability, as well as TDIU. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain necessary records and provide further medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service.,Service connection was granted for diffuse muscle pain due to a MUCMI.