Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis prior to May 20, 2015 was rated at 20 percent. The Board has remanded the case for further review.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 25, 2018 for service-connected left knee arthroplasty and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee osteoarthritis. The remand is due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar sprain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is denied. The appeal for TDIU was dismissed as moot due to a higher rating being granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated examination and consideration of regulatory changes that may affect his disability rating.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, for the entire period on appeal. The rating is based on forward flexion to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee osteoarthritis. The case is now remanded to address service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his service-connected left knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 26, 2010. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran's current right knee disability was related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and to obtain relevant treatment records, including those from non-VA providers. The issues of rating cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and right elbow disability are being remanded due to the possibility of material worsening since the last VA examination in February 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for persistent depressive disorder has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder degenerative arthritis, cervical spine condition, and ankle, knee, foot, thigh, and back conditions.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current left ear hearing loss began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as right and left hip disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, granting an initial rating for the condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of secondary service connection for low back disorder related to his right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, right foot condition, and increased evaluation for tinnitus were dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection for various knee disabilities, shoulder conditions, and hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's right-knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis is rated at 30 percent from January 24, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot and left foot disabilities, including degenerative arthritis, hallux valgus, and hallux limitus. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and osteoarthritis as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's active service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings, increased disability ratings, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examinations and lack of information on flare-ups.