Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's back disability was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective November 27, 2019. The appellant is eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the April 2022 decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied these claims.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded for an addendum opinion to address whether they are caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, cervical degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right thumb disability and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the current 10% rating adequately reflects the severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, and hypertension due to further development being required. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, left wrist strain with degenerative arthritis, and left knee strain. The conditions are found to be related to service based on the Veteran's credible reports of symptoms in-service and their persistence since then.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and tension headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left wrist disability. The examiner needs to consider all relevant evidence, including the Veteran's self-reporting and private medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and right and left leg radiculopathy due to inadequate consideration of retroactive range of motion studies and the ameliorative effects of medications.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records and lack of explanation regarding diagnostic codes used throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's right shoulder condition is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing his claims based on post-service falls related to his service-connected left ankle and knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, low back disorder, right ankle degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis (status post reverse total shoulder arthroplasty), left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The rating assigned is 60 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 27, 2011.,The Board found no entitlement to TDIU prior to May 27, 2011, due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his ability to engage in activities such as painting and working on cars.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbosacral strain. The Board has also remanded cases involving service connection for left knee, skin, and neck conditions due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that the current disability is not related to military service and was more likely due to natural aging and physical activity post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to errors in the duty to assist and insufficient evidence for adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his shoulder disabilities and cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran was unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depression, right and left knee replacements, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and syphilis. The Board granted a TDIU prior to June 28, 2010.