Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for right wrist and right knee disabilities, as well as a claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10% for left ankle arthritis. The evidence did not show that the Veteran's current conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder are due to an injury that occurred in service.,The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, was incurred during service and aggravated by his newly service-connected left shoulder disability. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder that is linked to his military service, and he also has a current diagnosis of migraine headaches that are linked to his military service.,The claim for a scar to the left shoulder and chest is remanded as records related to this incident have not been obtained.,The claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and migraine headaches are granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of osteoarthritis and hypertension for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between current symptoms and military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which is rated as degenerative arthritis, has been granted a rating of 20 percent since January 22, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran experienced marked limitation in range of motion throughout the appellate period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right elbow and hand disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to June 1, 2008. However, as of June 1, 2008, his service-connected orthopedic disorders rendered him unable to do so.

The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 20 percent prior to February 11, 2015 and since April 21, 2022. A higher rating of 40 percent is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's left cubital tunnel syndrome is granted as service connected. The extension of the temporary total disability rating for left knee degenerative joint disease under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 until January 31, 2007, is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a back disorder and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Dallas VAMC.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was reopened due to the submission of new evidence. A grant of TDIU is granted effective June 10, 2015.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain with degenerative arthritis is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions provided in a previous remand. The case is now returned for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her lumbar spine, left hip, right ankle, left ankle, and costochondritis conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for left knee osteoarthritis are being remanded to obtain additional medical records from his period of incarceration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, right knee joint osteoarthritis, left knee joint osteoarthritis, right hip joint osteoarthritis, and left hip joint osteoarthritis have all been denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine are not supported by competent medical evidence linking his current disabilities to service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted initial ratings, with the cervical spine disability receiving a 30% rating effective December 21, 2010. The thoracolumbar spine disability received a 40% rating effective October 22, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorders. The current evidence does not sufficiently address whether these conditions are related to service or if they developed after separation from service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disability. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for increased ratings can be adjudicated. The claim will be remanded to allow for additional examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Veteran's current anxiety disorder is proximately due to, or the result of, his adjudicated service-connected disabilities. Service connection for an anxiety disorder as secondary to his service-connected disabilities has been granted.