Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he has not been precluded from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no disability rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his knee disabilities and GERD. The Board finds no need to assign a rating or effective date at this time.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as incurred in service.,Other claims for service connection are either remanded or reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for an effective date earlier than November 29, 2017 and increased ratings for right shoulder disabilities and left index finger partial amputation due to new evidence and need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions and new evidence may be needed. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but the issues of service connection for cervical and left hip disabilities are remanded due to lack of updated medical records.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes osteoarthritis with a meniscal tear, is rated at 20 percent since August 27, 2020. Her right knee osteoarthritis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder osteoarthritis, as well as service connection for neck disability. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthrosis and meniscal tear, as well as a compensable rating prior to August 22, 2011, for lumbar spine arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Additional medical opinions are required to address the Veteran's current level of disability and whether there were any periods before August 22, 2011, when he was entitled to a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion on the features and severity of his right knee disability from September 28, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar strain was denied as there is no evidence of any informal or formal claims to the VA for a back disability prior to July 19, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent disability rating for his service-connected back condition was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and peripheral nerve conditions, require the regular aid and attendance of another person due to their effects on his ability to perform daily functions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his low back condition, neck condition, and shoulder condition. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back disability) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The decision is based on a finding that there is at least an equal balance of evidence regarding whether these conditions had their onset in service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is approximately balanced or nearly equal as to whether the Veteran's current GERD arose during his active service, and thus granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that his current condition is not secondary to or caused by his service-connected right knee meniscal tear. The Board also found no evidence of obesity being due to his service-connected knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current disability to his active duty service.

The Veteran's reduced disability ratings for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities were restored, effective December 1, 2018. The appeal is granted as the reduction was improper.