Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pains and degenerative arthritis as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee tricompartmental osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are not proximately due to or caused by his service-connected multi-level degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with IVDS.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The Board finds further development is required for the claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions.

The Veteran's right wrist arthritis resulted in a disability rating of 30 percent from August 16, 2009 to April 14, 2011 and was increased to 70 percent beginning on April 14, 2011. He is also granted TDIU for the periods specified.

The Board has ordered a new examination for the Veteran's right knee disability and requested additional records, including VA treatment records from Salisbury and Community Care Program records. The Veteran was also asked to submit hard copies of documents contained on a CD and complete a TDIU application form.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and tinnitus. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims as they are related to service.

The Board has remanded three issues related to increased ratings for various knee and cervical spine conditions due to the submission of new evidence since the last Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent effective from February 1, 2019. The rating reflects a significant improvement in his condition since August 16, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral foot condition and migraine headaches. The Board will consider whether a higher rating can be granted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of recent Fort Bragg medical records and for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are service-connected and granted.,Degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease and disc extrusions is not rated higher than 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated private treatment records and SSA disability records. The VA examiner will also be asked to assess the current severity of his left knee disability, including any flare-ups or functional loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 19, 2019, as he was found to be employed full-time and not unemployable.

The Board denied service connection for hyperlipidemia, benign prostatic hypertrophy, arterial hypertension, bilateral cataracts, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), low back disability, and osteoarthritis as the persuasive evidence did not show a relationship to service.

From December 30, 2019 to September 28, 2022, the Veteran's low back disability and sciatic radiculopathy of both lower extremities were granted increased ratings.,Prior to December 30, 2019, the Veteran's low back disability was not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Board has denied the petitions to reopen previously denied claims of service connection for an eye disorder, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and cervical spine spondylosis. The Veteran's contentions that his conditions are related to service have not been substantiated by new evidence.

The Board has ordered another medical opinion due to the need for additional evidence and clarification regarding the Veteran's low back disorder.