Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from March 18, 2011 to March 19, 2012 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and right shoulder osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disability requires further examination and review, as there are outstanding medical records and a possible surgery appointment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches and right foot conditions. The TDIU claim remains pending as it is intertwined with the right foot rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination in determining the extent of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for updated VA treatment records and an examination of the Veteran's right knee disability, as his last examination was over three years ago.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is related to his in-service back injuries during his first period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly whether they are related to his military service or environmental exposures during his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board has restored a 40 percent rating for the service-connected back disability from May 1, 2018 to November 27, 2019. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating higher than 40 percent for the entire period from November 17, 2016 is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of loss of balance, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine radiculopathy, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for herniated nucleus pulposus (HPN) of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated based on partial replacement and limited extension. The claims are remanded for additional development to ensure the Veteran receives a sufficient examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report and needs clarification on whether the Veteran requires prescription for assistive devices for right knee instability. The issues of increased rating for right knee disability and TDIU are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination considering all of his service-connected conditions, including those not previously considered in the previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as it no longer has jurisdiction.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee strain with degenerative arthritis are being remanded for further examination and opinion. Her TDIU claim is also remanded to obtain information from her former employers.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding his left knee disabilities. The issues include initial ratings for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, separate disability rating for left knee instability prior to August 6, 2019, and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent from August 6, 2019, to February 6, 2021, and since February 7, 2021, for left knee instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not service-connected, as it is considered to be a result of natural degenerative changes and overuse rather than any service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for seizures, increased ratings for bilateral hip degenerative arthritis, and TDIU prior to April 20, 2016. The Veteran is required to be examined by a VA clinician to determine the nature and etiology of his seizure disorder and the severity of his bilateral hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 60 percent for CAD is granted. The Veteran also receives a TDIU from August 28, 2019 to November 30, 2019 and SMC during the same period.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and clarification of certain medical information. The issues include evaluating left knee disability, including pain in weight-bearing, use of medication, and flare-ups, as well as service connection for primary vitiligo which was granted.