Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

Service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied. Service connection for right wrist disability, including de Quervain's tenosynovitis, chronic right wrist pain, and right ulnar nerve entrapment, as well as left ankle disability, to include tendinitis and residuals of a ruptured Achilles tendon, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for additional disorders are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right leg soft tissue injury or residuals thereof, and therefore service connection for such is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and SMC are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and clarification regarding his recent emergency room visit.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left ankle degenerative arthritis with strain, as well as DJD of the knees, are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent worsening reported by the Veteran. Additionally, a claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also being remanded.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% rating for cervical degenerative arthritis/spondylosis and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder with traumatic brain disorder. The reduction in rating was improper due to inadequate procedural notice.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder as secondary to his service-connected right knee, left knee, and/or left foot disorders. The decision is based on a finding that the Veteran's low back disorder was aggravated by these service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's reports of an in-service injury and subsequent symptoms are credible. The claim is denied for other issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for ulcerative colitis (UC) and migraine headaches due to a lack of updated treatment records, material change in her conditions, and need for addendum opinions regarding the preexistence of her UC.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and osteoarthritis are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and osteoarthritis are also granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition prior to March 25, 2022 did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited motion and dislocation.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition from May 1, 2023, met the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate October 2014 and March 2017 VA knee examinations. The Veteran underwent a left total knee replacement on October 18, 2022, and is currently rated at 30 percent for his left knee disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection of a left knee condition was granted. Service connection is now established for left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella. The remaining issues, including those related to the neck, shoulder, sleep deprivation, lung disorder, and neuralgia, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sinusitis and TDIU were dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.,The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for sinusitis from December 14, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and congenital Thornwaldt cyst, finding no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS of the back, osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating effective June 26, 2017. The issue of entitlement to service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 15, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since October 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues remanded. An effective date of February 18, 2016 was established for the grant of a 10 percent rating for ethmoid sinusitis.