Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to February 27, 2020 was granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from February 27, 2020 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board granted entitlement to a 100 percent initial evaluation for left knee degenerative arthritis, status post total left knee replacement surgery under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 from September 1, 2009, to April 16, 2010, and denied an offset reduction of this award.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination due to her failure to report for the scheduled examination and because of changes in her symptoms since the last examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of recent VA and private treatment records, which may provide updated information on his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including updated VA treatment records, a VA psychiatric examination for PTSD, an eye examination for right eye blindness, a VA hypertension examination, and another knee examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left ankle degenerative arthritis, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, and right ankle strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's spine injury claim has been reopened, and service connection for a spine injury is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is also granted as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and type II diabetes mellitus are denied due to failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.,Service connection for a spine injury is remanded, as the Veteran has provided evidence of a fall at a VA facility in November 2014 that may be related to his service-connected conditions. The RO must seek all relevant records and conduct appropriate development regarding this claim.,Entitlement to specially adapted housing and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded, as the Veteran has provided evidence of a spine injury and peripheral neuropathy claims that may be related to VA care.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to treatment for his service-connected back disorder, finding that the September 2017 surgery was unrelated to any service-connected condition and thus not warranting a temporary total evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD) due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for clarification of diagnoses and functional loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, and claimed lower and mid-back condition with stomach pain.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and a cervical spine disability, manifested by pain. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible reports of symptoms dating back to his military service.

The Veteran's disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, flat feet, bilateral heel spurs and degenerative arthritis was granted at a 50 percent evaluation from December 5, 2020 to March 28, 2022. The appeal is denied for higher ratings prior to this period.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding the VA's identification of the Veteran's dates of military service. The Veteran withdrew her appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU. The remaining issues have been remanded due to need for new examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability evaluation and temporary total rating due to lack of compliance with previous remands, need for additional medical records, and inadequate examination report. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to assess his current lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis due to outstanding treatment records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability on a direct and presumptive basis, finding the evidence against a link to service. The secondary claim was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar degenerative arthritis and IVDS is denied. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss, higher initial ratings for cervical osteoarthritis (neck disability) and left ear hearing loss, tuberculosis, and a 70 percent rating for PTSD have been withdrawn. A 100 percent rating has been granted for PTSD from January 24, 2017, and TDIU prior to that date has also been granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted a 10% rating, and his lumbar spine arthritis is granted a 40% rating. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted separate 10% ratings. These decisions are remanded for further review.