Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10% prior to December 5, 2019 and at 30% from December 5, 2019 to July 1, 2021. The Board found a uniform 30% rating for the entire period prior to July 1, 2021. After July 1, 2021, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20%. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain. The Veteran's left and right shoulder disorders, as well as his left hip, knee, and lower extremity radiculopathy are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to deficiencies in VA's duty to assist, including obtaining additional medical records.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the left knee due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as the etiology of his right knee disability. The Veteran needs further examination and clarification on these points.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information regarding his exposure to hazardous substances and materials during service. The Veteran is also required to undergo examinations for his cervical spine, lumbar spine injury, left knee, and right knee conditions.

This decision dismisses the appeal for a compensable rating for hearing loss. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since December 1, 2011. The right shoulder strain was initially rated at 30 percent prior to November 25, 2019, and then denied from that date forward. Right knee strain has been rated at 10 percent overall. Limited flexion of the right knee is rated as degenerative arthritis, while instability is separately rated.,reasoning for summary sentence: The Veteran's conditions were evaluated based on their current manifestations without considering prior ratings or any changes in disability status.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and has remanded the issue of right lower extremity arthritis.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, left knee instability, and right knee instability have been granted increased ratings. Service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow bursitis and left knee osteoarthritis due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the reduction in evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the spine from 40 percent to 20 percent was not proper and reinstated the 40 percent evaluation. The issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a grant of TDIU effective November 16, 2020. The appeal is remanded for consideration of TDIU prior to this date.

The Veteran's knee disabilities were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating from September 3, 2014 to April 10, 2019.,A separate 10% disability rating for painful extension of the right knee is granted effective February 5, 2015.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal issues, as well as psychiatric disorders. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to determine if it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected chronic left quadriceps strain.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's right knee disability, including considering revised rating criteria and obtaining updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for the right knee limitation of flexion effective December 15, 2021.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted as the Veteran's current diagnosis and in-service noise exposure raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, bilateral hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.