Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his active service or any service-connected disability. The Board also remanded the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis with patella release of both knees.

The Veteran's leg length discrepancy and degenerative arthritis of the left hip are granted on a direct and secondary basis, respectively. The Board found that the leg length discrepancy was aggravated by an in-service injury, while the degenerative arthritis is linked to this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and lumbar spine conditions, finding that these conditions are related to injuries incurred during combat in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right hand degenerative arthritis, and left hand degenerative arthritis. Service connection was granted for PTSD with an initial rating of 70% prior to June 30, 2021.,The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disability, left knee disability, left foot disability, esophageal disability, and intestinal disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder was granted. The claims for right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as lumbar spine disability, were denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis are granted as service connection is established based on continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or its residuals, and cerebrovascular accident (CVA)/stroke or its residuals, is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities prior to October 27, 2014 and July 21, 2014 were denied. For the period from December 1, 2015 to September 1, 2015, a 60 percent evaluation was granted for her right and left knee disabilities post total knee replacement.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from July 19, 2006 to November 26, 2007. The criteria for TDIU were met as the Veteran's service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right wrist and has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depressive disorder with adjustment disorder, bilateral knee conditions, and carpal tunnel syndromes, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Veteran's right hip and knee disabilities, as well as his major depressive disorder prior to August 12, 2014, are granted with specific disability ratings.,A 20 percent rating is granted for limitation of abduction of the right hip, a 10 percent rating is granted for limitation of extension of the right hip, and a 40 percent rating is granted for limitation of flexion of the right hip prior to August 12, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if his lumbar spine, cervical spine, knee, shoulder, and ankle disabilities are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a lumbar spine disability, as there is insufficient evidence regarding whether his current condition was incurred in service. The case will be referred back to VA for further evaluation and consideration.

The Veteran's low back disability was initially rated at 10 percent from October 19, 2015, to March 28, 2022. Since then, a higher rating of 20 percent has been granted retroactively effective from May 17, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral feet, and ankles have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for major depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for a headache disability are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings greater than 30 percent for each knee on and after May 6, 2021. The remaining issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with a lumbar strain, status post anterior fusion; initial rating greater than 20 percent for RIGHT lower extremity radiculopathy prior to December 10, 2019 and on and after December 10, 2019; and temporary total rating under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 following lumbar spine surgeries have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective May 30, 2017, based on his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities. The Board found the earliest date it was factually ascertainable that he was unemployable due to these conditions was March 1, 2017.

The Veteran's initial ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and right shoulder strain and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis have been granted. However, the rating for right shoulder strain and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst with residual scar, finding that her symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.