Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee conditions and service connection for foot conditions, as well as TDIU. Additional development is needed to provide a complete evaluation of these issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected shoulder conditions and fibula fracture were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, to include as secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, is remanded due to the inadequacy of the May 2022 VA opinion.

The Veteran's restoration of a 20 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,Issues regarding increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disorder, right knee degenerative arthritis, and depression are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding it likely due to his military service, including parachute jumps. However, there is no evidence linking his left knee disability to service.,For the hernia and TBI residuals, the Veteran's claims are denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or incident that led to his current disability.

The Veteran's initial rating of 10 percent for left foot disability prior to October 12, 2021 is granted. A higher rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter is denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the evidence supported only a 40 percent rating from November 22, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and tinnitus have been dismissed.,Readjudication of the claims for service connection for headaches, vertigo (dizziness), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected left hand gunshot wound with degenerative arthritis, muscle groups VII and VIII due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring him to rely on assistive devices for mobility. The Board has granted financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his permanent and total service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's back condition is granted service connection, while the right shoulder condition remains in dispute and remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an increased rating for left knee disability, and TDIU due to unresolved medical issues and lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal to restore a 60% rating for his lumbar spine disability has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing this appeal.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for osteoarthritis/degenerative arthritis of the left knee before January 19, 2018, finding that the Veteran's disability more nearly approximates the next-highest rate.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that new evidence received since the last final decision supports reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection, but finds no link between his current back disability and his military service.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability. However, the evidence does not establish that the current condition is related to service or an in-service injury.