Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine and left ankle disabilities are being remanded for additional development.,Service connection is being remanded for acid reflux, obstructive sleep apnea, ED, and hypertension as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee and hip replacements, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 28, 2015.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and missing medical records. The Veteran's left knee disability, lumbar spine apophysis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral pes planus with hind foot valgus, bunion formation, and degenerative arthritis are all subject to further review.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded due to issues with the Board's analysis of his educational history and work capacity. The case is now being returned for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities require additional development due to new evidence received since the April 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot calcaneal navicular bar is found to be related to his low back and right hip disorders, leading to the grants of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis and left ear hearing loss due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen his right hip disability claim has been granted. His GERD rating remains at 10%. The Board finds the case remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection, increased ratings, and other issues.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated as 10 percent disabling for degenerative arthritis and 20 percent disabling for instability, effective October 15, 2012, and February 7, 2021 respectively. The appeal is granted for the higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips, knees, and shoulders as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for increased evaluations of lumbar strain and right knee disabilities, as well as the claim for service connection for migraines, are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of increased evaluations for service-connected TBI and cervical spine disability, as well as the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The Veteran is granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to service-connected disabilities, effective July 19, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to May 29, 2018, for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine has been withdrawn. The claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to September 11, 2020, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter, for degenerative arthritis of the spine is being remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is granted a 40 percent initial rating, but no higher, effective August 17, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve prior to December 6, 2013 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition with continuity of symptomology during active duty service.