Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various conditions as the Veteran passed away before a final decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for further development of records, including service treatment records and military personnel records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered on its merits.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that her forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was limited to 30 degrees or less, which is required for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's somatic symptoms disorder with depression and anxiety, right ear hearing loss, bilateral shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia, bilateral ankle strain, and left foot condition (various diagnoses) have all been granted service connection.,An initial compensable rating for a post appendectomy scar has not been met.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's neck disability is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left thumb and cervical spine conditions due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to provide evidence of in-service motor vehicle accidents, which may affect his claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his back and right knee disabilities have been granted, but the appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed due to withdrawal requests. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for PTSD, service connection for a sleep disorder (to include narcolepsy and sleep apnea), and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the neck.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, IVDS, and herniated disc with disc protrusion and impingement of the L4 nerve root due to a full grant of this benefit in July 2020. The appeal is remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's left hip disability.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine prior to May 6, 2021. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for his service-connected lower back disability or knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis is granted, but his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS is rated at a 60 percent rating, but no higher, due to the presence of incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral hand conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 29, 2011.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to February 9, 2021 is denied.,The Veteran's increased rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from February 9, 2021 is denied.,The Veteran's initial increased rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis prior to April 26, 2019 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and evaluations of his service-connected disabilities. The issues include painful scars, torn meniscus, left knee strain with limitation of flexion, left knee strain with limitation of extension, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and compression fractures of T8-T10, status post lumbar fusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions regarding his knee and elbow conditions.

The Veteran's death was not recognized for DIC and death pension benefits due to the marriage occurring too late. The appellant is being remanded to clarify whether she wishes to proceed as a substitute party or solely for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for plantar fasciitis, but the Veteran's right hip disability, left hip disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome claims are remanded for additional development.