Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed.,New evidence received since the October 2013 rating decision has reopened claims for service connection, but not all of these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS with central annular tear was granted a 40 percent rating from June 6, 2014 through February 21, 2022. The right knee disabilities were denied.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected hepatitis C, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a combined rating of 100 percent prior to November 13, 2017. However, the Board finds that his single disability rated at 100 percent does not render him unemployable due to these conditions alone.

The Veteran's right leg length discrepancy and right hip osteoarthritis, status post arthroplasty are not service-connected as they are secondary to his service-connected right knee internal derangement.,VA previously denied these claims due to a lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has ordered a VA examination to address the etiology of his psychiatric disorder. The issues of right shoulder, left shoulder, right arm, left arm, right hip, and left hip degenerative arthritis are also remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and for right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to potential issues with the Veteran's death. The cases will be returned to the Board once it is confirmed whether the Veteran is deceased.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating higher than 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain private treatment records and for a VA examination regarding his right hand disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, finding no link between his current condition and any in-service event.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that they are related to his service. The disabilities were diagnosed as gout or degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, warranting a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied on a secondary basis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied. The current rating of 40% for degenerative arthritis of the spine is maintained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 13, 2017. The Board granted TDIU for this period but remanded the issue of TDIU prior to July 13, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obesity, which is a substantial factor in causing sleep apnea. The Veteran was asked to provide a copy of an article referenced by hyperlink in the April 2022 appeal brief.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as his range of motion is sufficient to meet the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 30 percent rating for the entire appeal period, and his right foot condition is denied service connection.