Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and evaluation.

Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The appeals concerning right upper extremity tremors, left upper extremity tremors, traumatic brain injury, cognitive issues (secondary to traumatic brain injury), and cervical spine disorder (secondary to traumatic brain injury) are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a finding that his current condition had onset in or was otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, began during service and has continued since then. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in a signed February 2022 Appeals Satisfaction Notice.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is attributable to active service and has been granted service connection.,The Veteran's bilateral foot osteoarthritis is attributable to service and has been granted service connection.,The Veteran does not have hemorrhoids that are attributable to service, resulting in denial of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding his employment history during the appeal period, despite meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's back disability and has remanded the issue of TDIU. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific issues decided.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to new evidence received since his previous denial. His prior claim for pinched sciatic nerve in leg was denied, but he has submitted new medical evidence supporting a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and knee conditions, make it impossible for her to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes with total duration of at least one week during the past 12 months.

The Veteran's initial rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis changes prior to January 15, 2020 is denied. The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica was initially rated at 10 percent and increased to 20 percent effective January 15, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee conditions are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for left knee instability effective March 24, 2011. The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disability, specifically his in-service pain and physical exertion.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions are granted with separate 10 percent ratings from January 6, 2010. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 3, 2017.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 1, 2014 is granted. The increased rating claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back disability must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The VA is required to provide a new examination or opinion where there is insufficient evidence of record to decide the claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee strain as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.