Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability, including as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder. The Board found that the Veteran's current neck disability is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his active-duty service.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in December 2019 are inadequate for adjudication and remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a new examination of the knees and etiology medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that they are at least as likely as not incurred during his active duty service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left hip was found to have started during service and is therefore granted as service connected.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has remanded for further development. The Veteran's MDD from January 9, 2009, is granted at a 70 percent rating. TDIU from March 18, 2011 to March 19, 2012 remains pending.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities are rated at 10 percent prior to March 2, 2020, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The appeals for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed because he has a combined 100% schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities and does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and radiculopathy right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of these conditions without considering the effects of medication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were remanded due to the complexity of his case, including the need to recharacterize issues on appeal. The Board found that the proper initial ratings assignable for the left knee and hip disorders are inextricably intertwined with the residuals of the left leg subtrochanteric fracture issue.

The Veteran's left knee disability, post-total replacement arthroplasty, is rated at 60 percent effective from November 1, 2013. A compensable rating for a scar associated with the total replacement was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his right foot and ankle disorders, heel spurs, broken toe residuals, and back disorder. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions and procedural issues. A new secondary service connection opinion is needed based on accurate factual history, including consideration of all Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied, with an initial 10% rating granted from August 23, 2013 to October 6, 2021, and then increased to 40% effective October 6, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and issues related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including its rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and TDIU, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current back condition and service. The evidence did not show a compensable degree of DDD within one year of separation from service or continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy are both currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if these ratings should be increased.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and effective dates for various disabilities, including right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee strain, anemia, gastrointestinal disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, TDIU, and dental treatment. The Veteran must submit a substantive appeal to perfect these claims.

The Board has found service connection for tinnitus and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to insufficient evidence.