Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report regarding range of motion loss.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional information regarding an examiner's qualifications.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected, with the cause being an in-service motor vehicle accident.,Service connection for left shoulder and ankle disabilities is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability.,An initial compensable rating for IBS prior to October 29, 2018, and a rating in excess of 30 percent from that date are both denied.

Service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and migraine headaches has been granted.,The claims of service connection for osteoarthritis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and anemia have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and left upper extremity CTS were denied as there was no factual evidence of a worsening in symptoms prior to January 17, 2018.,An effective date of January 17, 2018 was assigned for all claims due to the Veteran's formal claim being received within one year of his Intent to File.

The Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is being remanded for further evaluation and additional evidence collection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip pain, finding that his symptoms began during service and have persisted since then.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 30% rating effective August 26, 2022. The left shoulder and degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder were each granted separate 20% ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hypertension.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability, rated at 20%, is not entitled to a higher rating due to the lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).,Prior to November 4, 2022, the Veteran's headaches are granted a noncompensable evaluation. Since then, he has been granted a 50% evaluation for very frequent prostrating attacks.,The Veteran is granted an initial 10% evaluation for urticaria throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran's right knee replacement claim was withdrawn by the Veteran in his hearing testimony. Claims for left knee degenerative arthritis, anxiety disorder, and a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, is rated at 20% throughout the appeal period. Separate ratings of 40% for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 20% for left upper extremity radiculopathy are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities in determining whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of May 9, 2017 for service connection of lumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since April 11, 2012. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD (bipolar disorder) was denied. A rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted effective July 15, 2014. The claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to October 28, 2016 and from that date are both denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand disability, finding that there is not a competent nexus between the osteoarthritis identified in his left hand and the hammer injury sustained in March 1971.

The Veteran's left knee limited flexion is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects her disability picture based on the provided evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which includes periostitis and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no significant limitation of motion or instability to warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee, right ankle, and neck conditions due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examinations. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.