Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for pancreatitis and denied increased ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis, but granted a TDIU. The Veteran's current back disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to February 4, 2021, and 40 percent thereafter, for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as her claim for TDIU due to issues related to neurological impairments associated with her back disability. The remand requires an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's urinary incontinence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee and right shoulder disabilities due to their inextricability with the claim for a back disability. The Veteran should undergo examinations to determine if her knee and shoulder conditions are related to her service-connected spine disability or other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and respiratory disabilities have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left ankle bimalleolar fracture residuals with degenerative osteoarthritis is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left leg or knee disability, rectal bleeding, swollen hands and feet, rheumatoid arthritis, multi-site arthritis of the right shoulder, multi-site arthritis of the right hip, multi-site arthritis of the cervical spine (neck), multi-site arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back), right leg nerve damage, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, left kidney disability, gallbladder disability, sinusitis, headaches, appendix disability, discoloration and bacteria on the feet, erectile dysfunction, and eye disability or vision problems. The Board found no current disabilities for several conditions and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 40 percent effective May 13, 2021. The rating reflects significant limitation in forward flexion and pain during motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate etiological opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left foot disability is secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. The RO must obtain updated VA treatment records and seek adequate etiological opinions that respond fully to the Board's inquiries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from January 21, 2014 through May 7, 2018 rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee and left knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not causally related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right ankle is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for clarification.

The Veteran's left knee instability and arthritis are rated at 30% and 20%, respectively, effective September 21, 2009. Higher ratings for these conditions are denied as they would violate the amputation rule.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to address the etiology of his headaches and their relationship to service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been denied as the medical evidence does not support a rating in excess of 40 percent since June 3, 2022.

The Board has determined that the issues of increased ratings for sinusitis, left knee strain with partial medial meniscectomy and DJD, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome are remanded due to new evidence being added to the claims file.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU as of July 1, 2016, but no earlier. As of March 20, 2019, the criteria for a TDIU based on a single service-connected disability are not met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of his employment status.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis is granted service connection. The claim for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and TDIU is remanded.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 1, 1995 for the grant of service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis with a history of chondromalacia/patellofemoral syndrome under Diagnostic Code 5003.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right knee disability, including patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis and instability, was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee is granted. The claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 2, 2016, remains denied.