Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent prior to September 18, 2020, and no higher. The rating will remain at 40 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis is currently rated at 40 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 40 percent since March 16, 2011, and 20 percent from January 27, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 10 percent since May 23, 2013, and 20 percent from January 27, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot disorder (secondary to service-connected left knee disorder and/or service-connected lumbar spine disorder) and right knee disorder (secondary to service-connected left knee disorder) are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities, including considering the ameliorative effects of medication. The case will be remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability and osteoarthritis of the left knee due to a lack of recent VA examinations, which may have provided updated information on the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and left hip disability as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied due to the lack of evidence meeting VA standards for hearing loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his thoracolumbar spine disability and multiple joint conditions, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records and a need for another VA examination. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, is being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination to assess the severity of his hearing loss and left knee conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the sufficiency of the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disorder. The case is now back for further development and review.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,A 50% rating for migraine headaches is granted.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded due to lack of evidence.,An initial rating in excess of 10% for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, but further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment from January 14, 2013 to January 5, 2017. The Board has granted TDIU for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and urinary frequency disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis and thoracic scoliosis.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for various wrist, shoulder, ankle, hip, and knee disabilities have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for chronic rhinitis under the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his postoperative hernia repair scar and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The case is being remanded to consider additional evidence added since the January 2023 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and knee conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since October 7, 2009. The Board has granted an effective date of October 7, 2009 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune, as these conditions are not eligible for presumptive service connection based on service at Camp Lejeune. The Veteran is entitled to a new TERA examination to determine if there is an association between his claimed conditions and his toxic exposure risk activity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives regarding radiation exposure. The case is being returned to the Jackson Regional Office for further action.