Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hiatal hernia with GERD, lumbar strain with spinal stenosis, disc bulge, and spondylosis, left knee patellofemoral compartment and pain syndrome, right knee osteoarthritis with patella femoral pain syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with spondylolisthesis is rated at 40 percent since September 1, 2009. The Board found that this rating adequately reflects his disability picture.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine multilevel disc disease and left hip osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence showing a causal relationship.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable from February 22, 2020, to the present. The Board finds that his educational success and goal-oriented attitude demonstrate his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's spine disability is being remanded for further development, including consideration of the earlier rating criteria. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the spine disability claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented them from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU are not met.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD results in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating. The right knee status post total knee replacement and left knee osteoarthritis are not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as there is no evidence that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded for a VA examination to address whether her right hip and left knee disabilities are at least as likely as not proximately due or aggravated by her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection, effectively dismissing all issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the back and lower extremity radiculopathy, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating. The combined impact of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, OSA, IHD, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, renders him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to December 10, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected lumbar spine conditions, including left foot conditions. The Board has determined that these claims are remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the current severity of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted with a 20% rating prior to August 11, 2020 and denied for higher ratings thereafter. A separate 20% rating is granted for painful scars associated with the right ankle and left knee as of August 11, 2020. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted a 30% rating from March 1, 2018 to August 10, 2020 and denied for higher ratings thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psoriasis and right knee degenerative arthritis have been granted. The claim for a scar of the left knee has not been substantiated.

The Veteran was not found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities other than the loss of use of bilateral lower extremities, which is why he did not meet the criteria for SMC(o).

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and adjustment disorder as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records.