Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

Service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been granted. Other service connection claims have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for further development regarding his right foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues on appeal include service connection for various conditions, with some cases involving exposure to herbicide or mustard gas and others requiring consideration of pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is granted, and the Board finds that further development is needed to determine if his current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and knee strains have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim prior to June 28, 2017, has also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right and left foot disorders, as well as their relationship to service-connected knee disorders.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the ratings of lumbosacral spine disc bulge, right knee osteochondritis dissecans with osteoarthritis and limited flexion, and residuals of left wrist fracture. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine was rated at 10 percent prior to August 9, 2021 and granted a 20 percent rating beginning on that date.,The Veteran's right eye glaucoma is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected back and bilateral knee disabilities prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus the claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS is granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the entire rating period prior to June 27, 2018.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been increased to 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection has also been granted for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities as a neurological manifestation of her service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his military service. The Veteran contends that heavy lifting in service caused his current condition, but the VA examiner found no direct link based on lack of treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for various disability ratings have been withdrawn and are dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of his appeal as to all issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition requires further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to a lack of compliance with VA examination requirements and to obtain an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for generalized osteoarthritis and numbness of the hands due to additional development being needed, including obtaining medical opinions regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective April 8, 2022. The right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at a 10 percent rating.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia patella of the right knee, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle.,Secondary service connection is also granted for osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella of the left knee.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, erectile dysfunction (ED), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hyperthyroidism, a chronic disability manifested by diarrhea, neck condition, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right ankle osteoarthritis.,Service connection is remanded for left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss (BHL), diabetes, hypertension, kidney condition, residuals of a pilonidal sinus cyst, and bilateral foot condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, acquired psychiatric disability, migraines, and sinusitis. The claims are being remanded for further development.