Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and exposure to herbicides. Additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of his psychiatric, neurological, and skin conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 10, 2014. The decision is based on the combined effect of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability was denied. The current rating of 40 percent is maintained, effective December 10, 2021.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The extension of a temporary total rating for lumbar spine surgery convalescence past August 1, 2012, is denied. Service connection for erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded due to lack of medical opinions. Service connection for unspecified arthritis (distinct from service-connected lumbar spine disability) is also remanded. The Veteran's residuals of a nasal fracture, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, lumbar strain, and lumbar spine scar are all remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and femoral condyle fracture, is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal. Separate ratings of 20 percent for limitation of extension and 10 percent for limitation of flexion are granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's kidney stones are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, specifically chronic kidney disease with hypertension and osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's left lumbar radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent from June 16, 2017, and denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service, specifically his rappelling injury in 1990.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to November 22, 2021 and at 20 percent thereafter. The cervical spine disability remains rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for ratings of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left leg radiculopathy, right leg radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss as the appellant withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 100 percent from February 29, 2012. The RO denied entitlement to a TDIU prior to February 29, 2012, or based on a single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and left ankle condition was denied. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for right and left ankle fractures, as well as degenerative arthritis/IVDS of the cervical spine have been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving a non-compensable (zero percent) rating for his service-connected ankle disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of these claims.

The Veteran's tension headaches were rated at a noncompensable level prior to May 10, 2018. As of that date, the Veteran was granted a 50 percent disability rating for his tension headaches.,For degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, the Veteran received a 30 percent disability rating from May 20, 2020 onwards. Prior to this date, he did not receive any higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of etiological opinions. The Veteran's complaints of low back pain, left knee arthritis, and cervical spine DDD are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and intervertebral disc syndrome is granted a 40 percent disability rating prior to December 6, 2021. From December 6, 2021, the disability rating remains at 40 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence does not support an increased rating from October 14, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and an appropriate VA examination to assess his left knee disability.