Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis and a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's back disability is congenital and not aggravated by service. Service connection was also denied for a thyroid disorder due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service or within one year post-service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a pre-existing condition in his back prior to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee degenerative arthritis, right shoulder condition, lumbosacral strain (claimed as back injury), sinusitis, and left ankle condition have all been dismissed. The claim of service connection for sinusitis was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to the need for additional VA examination reports and treatment records, as well as consideration of a claim for Total Disability Rating Due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeals regarding increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The issues are no longer before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis. The examiner is asked to address the Veteran's lay reports and provide a sound rationale for their conclusions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and COPD are all granted as service connected.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is also granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to assess his hip disabilities. His claim for increased hearing loss remains denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TBI, HTN, bilateral hip and back disabilities, bilateral foot disability, and left elbow disability due to conflicting medical opinions and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IVDS, left ankle cyst, and TBI were all granted. However, the claim for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity was denied, as was the claim for degenerative arthritis of the back.,A remand has been ordered for a cervical radiculopathy claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was reduced from 30% to 20%, effective August 28, 2019. The appeal for restoration of the 30% rating is granted. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including effective dates and ratings for shoulder and ankle conditions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was granted. The appeal regarding TDIU from May 27, 2009 to September 18, 2011 was granted. The appeal regarding an effective date prior to September 19, 2011 for the grant of a 100 percent disability rating for service-connected COPD with asthma and residual status post broken ribs is dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his left shoulder disability, including posttraumatic degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise and thus granting the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings due to insufficient evidence and failure to obtain VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide information about all medical providers who have treated him, including any VA records.