Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development and new medical opinions being required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU was dismissed as moot due to the grant of TDIU for the entire appeal period.,The reduction in disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20 to 10 percent, effective February 3, 2017, was improper and has been restored.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling prior to October 23, 2019, for IHD was denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent disabling prior to December 11, 2019, for IHD was denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 10, 2017, for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was denied.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 70 percent disabling for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected back disability was granted, with a 40 percent rating from February 10, 2012.,Other issues on appeal were either denied or remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed for the issues of a rating higher than 10 percent for a low back disability, a compensable rating for a low back scar, a compensable rating for a right knee scar, and service connection for asthma. An initial 50 percent rating, but no higher, was granted for an anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee strain, but remanded to consider additional separate and higher ratings due to recent revisions in the applicable rating criteria. The Veteran is also entitled to an increased rating for his osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities other than his already service-connected torn medial meniscus were reopened. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of osteoarthritis in both knees, which established direct service connection. Service connection was also granted for the Veteran's left knee disability as secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis and a temporary total rating based on convalescence after arthroscopic surgery was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or a temporary total rating.

The Board has decided to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right shoulder condition. The case is now remanded for further development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability was denied, and his TDIU claim has been dismissed as moot due to the combined 100 percent schedular disability rating based on all service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 60% rating from March 23, 2017 onwards. He also received separate ratings for limitation of extension.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee disabilities, including reductions in ratings and entitlement to separate ratings for meniscal disorders. The case is also remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee conditions and determine if his symptoms were present prior to the November 2017 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not caused by his in-service repetitive jumping duties.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis and radiculopathy of the lower extremities has been denied. The Veteran is currently assigned a 40 percent rating for his degenerative arthritis, which is the highest available under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's back disability and sleep impairment are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent findings indicating worsening of the conditions. A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his back condition, while another examination is required to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of his sleep disorders.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for multi-level cervical spine degenerative arthritis, cervical stenosis status-post anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C5, C6, C6-7, and myelomalacia, as well as right and left upper extremity radiculopathies secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and osteoarthritis, is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for head injury residuals, to include vertigo and headaches, as well as neck disability due to lack of compliance with obtaining outstanding medical treatment records.,Service connection cannot be granted for bilateral knee disability, tinnitus, or bilateral hearing loss as there is no current diagnosis in the record.