Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder and a right knee disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, had its onset during service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for right knee replacement surgery is remanded due to a duty to assist error and the need for new medical opinions considering all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder osteoarthritis are granted as service connected. The Board found the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service credible.,The Veteran was hospitalized for a head injury in 1982, which is considered to be a TBI resulting in current residuals including mood disorder not otherwise specified.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities. A 20% rating was granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran did not have continuous symptoms since separation from active duty and there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing his current condition.,The Board also denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left wrist, concluding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely due to normal aging rather than an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU benefits prior to April 27, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no chronic disease shown in service or within one year after separation, and no continuity of symptoms since service. The Board also found that his current cervical spine disability is not related to any in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. For the period prior to August 23, 2019, the disability was rated at 20 percent and not higher due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis. For the period beginning August 23, 2019, a rating in excess of 40 percent is denied as there were no incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for such a rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lower back is granted. The appeal for obstructive sleep apnea remains pending and requires further remand.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, right and left knee disabilities, hypertension, otitis media of the right ear, and onychomycosis of both feet. A mental disorders examination is also required.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine prior to May 17, 2021 and from that date is denied as the evidence does not show forward flexion limited to 60 degrees or less or combined range of motion limited to 120 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis are a progression of his service-connected left trapezius strain. The case is being returned for another VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries. The decision also denied service connection for a peripheral vestibular disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding her back disability and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right knee disorder, PTSD with depressive disorder and anxiety, and IBS has been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals. The case is REMANDED for further development regarding his TDIU claim.,A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's PTSD and IBS.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of various disabilities, including cervical strain, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis (back disability), right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is needed for both service connection and TDIU claims.

The Veteran's low back disorder is not service-connected as there is no credible evidence linking the current condition to service.,The Veteran's facial scars are not service-connected due to lack of a documented in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and femoral nerve radiculopathy were evaluated as 20 percent disabling from August 12, 2016, to March 18, 2019. The rating was denied due to the Veteran's inability to work in her previous employment.