Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher disability evaluations due to a withdrawal request by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran claims service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The Board finds that remand is necessary to provide an adequate medical opinion considering the Veteran's reports of chronicity of symptoms since service and statements from his niece, stepdaughter, and former chiropractor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical evidence and VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability, including a scar. The TDIU claim will be further developed in conjunction with an examination to assess the impact of these disabilities on employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination for determining the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative discogenic disease of the lumbar spine, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis have been granted.,The Board found that the evidence established a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and muscle strain of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as his forward flexion is no less than 40 degrees throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine strain, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for resection of ribs five, six, and seven. The issue of service connection for resection of the right scapula as secondary to her rib disability is remanded. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the talo-fibular and talo-navicular joint with chronic left ankle strain, including entitlement to a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery, is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and restoration of a rating have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has also been withdrawn.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability was granted. The claim of service connection for a left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, which is not secondary to service-connected right knee disabilities, was denied.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the year 2014 is granted because his service-connected left knee brace caused excessive wear and tear to his outer garments.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 28, 2014, for a 30% evaluation for bilateral foot disability is granted. The earliest effective date for the assignment of this rating is December 28, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and bilateral knee osteoarthritis were denied as there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder conditions manifested within one year of discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine fracture of C2-C3, with associated radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, renders him incapable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment as of April 9, 2015.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities effective April 9, 2015.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is caused by his service-connected low back disability, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for higher ratings of right hip osteoarthritis, hypertension, and GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with painful motion and instability are rated at 10 percent each, effective June 23, 2017. The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for his left knee instability since June 23, 2017. A separate compensable rating for neurological dysfunction of the left wrist is remanded. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 40 percent effective June 3, 2008. TDIU is granted from June 3, 2008 to December 19, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to insufficient examination findings regarding flare-ups and associated symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings and a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's gait assessment.