Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The AOJ must provide additional development as requested by the Board.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted a separate rating for limitation of extension.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, lumbar degenerative arthritis, and tinnitus disabilities combine to meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU beginning May 4, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left shoulder disability, and right elbow disability due to incomplete development of records and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and hip disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment from January 12, 2012 to May 28, 2021.

The Board has granted entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, PDD, TB residuals, degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and IVDS of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since February 4, 2010. A separate rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board dismissed all appeals of the veteran's claims for service connection due to his withdrawal of those appeals.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's disability was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found no continuity of symptomatology or etiological relationship between the current disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine disability, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 26, 2018. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's initial claim for a 20 percent evaluation for service-connected lumbar disability has been granted. Additionally, a separate 10 percent evaluation for service-connected radiculopathy of the left femoral nerve is also granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as service-connected due to being proximately due to his service connected alcohol use disorder. The claims for PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder evaluation in excess of 30 percent, TDIU, traumatic brain injury (TBI), vertigo secondary to TBI, degenerative arthritis or DDD of the lumbar spine, right elbow condition, and right ankle condition are all remanded.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the rating for left knee disability and service connection for right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess his current conditions and their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 40 percent rating for spur with limitation of flexion lateral epicondylitis, right elbow osteoarthritis was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 30 percent rating for supination and pronation impairment medial epicondylitis was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the RO to issue an SOC addressing his claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings and the propriety of a rating reduction. The appeals remain in the Legacy appeals system.

The Veteran's request for increased ratings for his service-connected left foot and left ankle disabilities is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and a VA examination.,The Veteran must be provided an updated VA examination to evaluate the severity of his left foot and left ankle disabilities in light of the identified records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbar strain and thoracolumbar scoliosis was granted effective February 14, 2018.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as not having arisen prior to April 12, 2018.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective September 11, 2023.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and cherry hemangioma are granted.,Cherry hemangioma is characterized as a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness of unknown etiology.