Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. A temporary 100 percent rating for convalescence following surgery on his service-connected low back disability is also granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss of either ear, according to VA standards. The claims for increased evaluations for service-connected right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are remanded as the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to document the current severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee strain is also remanded as the Veteran should be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from October 21, 2004 to May 5, 2016.

The Veteran's headache disability and low back disability have been granted service connection, effective June 19, 2009.,A higher rating for major depressive disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's neck strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, hip strains, TBI residuals, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since separation from service and are at least in equipoise with a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to outstanding SSA records that may contain relevant evidence. The earlier effective date claim is inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

PTSD was granted with a 70% rating prior to March 15, 2017 and denied for higher ratings thereafter. Left knee degenerative arthritis received a 20% rating from December 14, 2013.,Left knee instability received a separate 10% rating since December 14, 2013. The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to May 2, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the spine and a respiratory condition (rhinitis and sinusitis) are granted. The claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder impingement syndrome, chronic left and right wrist sprains, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examinations in November 2016. The Veteran is required to undergo updated VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis, finding that her service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury, memory loss, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for further examination or evidence.,Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, and left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's lumbar disability was granted a 40 percent evaluation prior to September 19, 2016 based on forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine being 30 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lower back and right knee disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations, potential worsening of conditions, and need for additional medical opinions regarding psychiatric and sleep impairments.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disorder is granted. The Board also remanded several other claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine and chronic strain of the lumbar spine due to the need for contemporaneous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected knee and hand disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of his right knee disability, which was previously rated at 10 percent, has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

Service connection for PTSD is granted, and a separate compensable rating of 10 percent is denied for the left knee chondromalacia patella. A separate compensable disability rating of 10 percent is granted for instability associated with the service-connected left knee chondromalacia patella.,The Veteran's left knee disability remains rated at 10 percent, based on painful motion.

The Board denied service connection for ddd of the lumbosacral spine, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and osteoarthritis of the left knee due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and service.