Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of the TDIU claim prior to March 29, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active-duty service.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings and TDIU are inextricably intertwined due to potential impact on retroactive schedular eligibility. These matters are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20 percent, effective September 15, 2014.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective February 3, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

Service connection is granted for fibromyalgia, right and left hand disabilities, and right and left little, long, index, ring fingers, and thumbs. Service connection is denied for painful joints, degenerative arthritis, respiratory disorder (other than service-connected allergic rhinitis), muscle pain, gynecological disability (other than service-connected scars status post laparoscopy for ovarian cyst), left toe fracture, left foot and toe condition, right foot and toe condition, dizziness, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of medical evidence, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left knee disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for unsteady gait, headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to potential negligence or lack of proper skill in the placement and tightening of a screw during surgery.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current foot disabilities and his service, including a shrapnel wound.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis, gout, or other injury to the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the spine, gout, or other injury of the back due to a lack of credible evidence supporting in-service events or injuries.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent since May 19, 1999. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip AVN as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no nexus between the two conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine resulted from carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill by VA personnel during his August 2010 hospitalization at the Asheville VAMC.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, sciatica in either lower extremity, and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his hearing loss was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted service connection as secondary to his right shoulder disability. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and TDIU prior to July 7, 2016, are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathy were evaluated, with the lumbar spine condition receiving a 20% rating from July 15, 2013. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy each received a 20% rating from August 2, 2022.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including congenital transitional vertebra anatomy at L5/S1, is granted as service-connected.,Right and left lower extremity sciatica are also granted as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU effective September 30, 2021.