Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and lumbar radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of such disorders during service or related to service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 40 percent since March 19, 2021. The appeal for a higher rating prior to that date and for the right and left lower extremity radiculopathy issues remains pending.

The Veteran's right foot disability, which includes a bunionectomy and arthritis of the great toe, was previously rated at 10 percent. The Board has restored the original 30 percent rating effective March 1, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The claims for a compensable disability rating for hypertension and reopening of the lumbar spine disability claim have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted. The claim for service connection for depression is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent before March 23, 2017. From March 23, 2017 to December 15, 2019, a rating of 40 percent was granted. After that date, the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar osteoarthritis and whether it is secondary to his service-connected left foot condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left knee degenerative arthritis and a separate rating for left knee instability was denied. The Veteran currently receives a 10 percent disability rating for her left knee degenerative arthritis, but no higher.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA records and scheduling a new examination. The issues of reducing ratings and entitlement to higher ratings are also being considered.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to March 28, 2018 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate examination addressing the features and severity of the right knee disability from September 28, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left hip disabilities due to a lack of adequate rationale in prior VA opinions. The Veteran's representative requested an orthopedist specialist opinion on both direct and secondary theories.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 13, 2014. Therefore, the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted with an effective date of July 31, 2011.

The appeal for service connection for urethral stricture is dismissed. The appeals for PTSD, osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, alcoholism, chemical dependence, and insomnia are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left knee conditions are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee meniscal tear and DJD, as well as left hip iliopsoas tendonitis and degenerative arthritis, have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability and right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to her active duty service. The claim for chest disability is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its onset or relationship to service.,Service connection was established for low back disability and right shoulder disability based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a respiratory condition, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee disability. Additional records are needed from SSA, VA treatment records, private doctors, and exposure confirmation. A new medical opinion is required to consider the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service and his current disability picture.