Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of eczema with tremors and right and left hand degenerative arthritis prevented him from obtaining and maintaining employment, leading to a grant of TDIU. The need for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to lack of examination.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine multilevel disc disease and left hip osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected right knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate medical opinion in September 2020. A new VA medical opinion is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU prior to December 28, 2011, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, the Veteran needs an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities under both the former and revised rating criteria.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis from October 1, 2010, forward. The decision finds that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's request to reopen her finally denied claim of service connection for headaches has been granted. The Board has also remanded several other issues including the increased rating for back disability, and claims for degenerative arthritis of shoulders, neck, and knees.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable service-connected disabilities was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, including a low back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability and sciatic nerve pain are rated at 20 percent before May 24, 2019. From that date, the rating is increased to 40 percent for both conditions.,Neck disability was initially rated at 20 percent before May 18, 2021 and then increased to 30 percent from that date.

The Veteran's right and left hip osteoarthritis have been rated at 50 percent each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, effective prior to December 6, 2019. The Board has remanded the issues for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and total right knee replacement with residuals, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has jurisdiction over the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The reduction of the Veteran's back rating is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for sacroiliac joint separation and pelvic fracture, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to February 7, 2017. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning in previous decisions. The Veteran's left knee condition, including osteoarthritis, is now subject to further review with consideration of his lay statements regarding service-related aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The effective date of July 15, 1986, has been granted for his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The appeal is limited to the initial compensable rating for status post recurrent heat exhaustion, which was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD and TBI residuals are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,Prior to February 9, 2017, the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, as well as his left knee meniscal tear (prior to September 1, 2019), were granted separate disability ratings. The Veteran's right knee replacement surgery resulted in a 60% rating beginning September 1, 2019. His bilateral plantar fasciitis and foot disabilities were denied initial higher ratings.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and tension headaches associated with the cervical spine disability were denied service connection.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder due to service-connected lumbar spine disability.