Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar disc herniation with intervertebral syndrome, right hip osteoarthritis with status-post right total hip arthroplasty, and left hip strain have been reopened. The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected lumbar spine disability, and also grants service connection for right and left hip disabilities as secondary to his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar strain with herniated disc, osteoarthritis and impingement of the bilateral L5-S1 nerves, as well as a TDIU claim due to marked interference with employment. The Veteran is advised to provide supporting medical evidence regarding his low back disability and periods of marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for dysthymic disorder from June 4, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 70 percent. The Veteran's entitlement to TDIU since June 4, 2012 was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his neck, left hip, and bilateral foot disabilities. The claims are not currently decided on service connection.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis, status post meniscus removal surgery, is rated at 10 percent. The ratings for left and right Achilles tendonitis are also 10 percent each.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis, left knee strain with old avulsion fracture fragment lateral aspect of the proximal tibia, and right thumb strain due to additional evidentiary development being required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether pneumonia and COPD were related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence showing ankylosis, functional equivalent of ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes in any 12-month period.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he is not considered in need of such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma and has remanded his case for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his right hand disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that it is a chronic disease with onset during combat service and continuity of symptomatology since discharge.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was granted in a rating decision issued by the AOJ in May 2021. The appeal is dismissed as this issue has been resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, tinnitus, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 31, 2016. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities were dismissed. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder and physical disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues for increased ratings, and the Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA medical records, conduct examinations, and consider the claims in light of new evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as bilateral ankle disabilities, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings or service connection based on his symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are rated at 40 percent effective September 1, 2016. The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee strain with osteoarthritis (limitation of flexion), limitation of extension, and instability due to incomplete medical records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for her right shoulder tendonitis, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to lack of a VA examination addressing current functional loss. The effective date claims are also being remanded as they have not been considered by the AOJ.