Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied. For the rating period from March 4, 2016 to December 7, 2016, a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis was granted. For the rating period from December 7, 2016 forward, an increased disability rating in excess of 50 percent is not possible as the Veteran is already at the maximum allowable rating under Diagnostic Code 5276.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the appeal was not valid as it did not follow the proper procedures for legacy system appeals.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine was previously rated at 40 percent, but this rating was reduced to 20 percent. The Board has restored the 40 percent rating effective October 1, 2019.

The Veteran's hip replacements are rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on his current symptoms.

The Board has decided that the VA examinations performed in December 2019 regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions are inadequate. The examination did not consider all periods of active duty service and all associated STRs. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by severe symptoms including pain and swelling, has been rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection in February 2016. The Board found that his condition warranted this rating due to its chronic impact on weight-bearing and functional use.

The Veteran's request for re-entrance into the VR&E program following a determination of rehabilitation is denied due to his service-connected disabilities not precluding him from performing work duties and the occupation previously found rehabilitated being deemed suitable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate retrospective medical opinions regarding the range of motion of his right knee during flare-ups of symptoms from February 2, 2009, to May 26, 2010, and from September 1, 2010, to September 19, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for a neurological condition, fatigue, and right knee disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding his neurological condition and fatigue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease. Additional development is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip condition, finding that there was no evidence linking his current hip condition to military service or a service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to January 1, 2008. The cervical spine and radiculopathy claims are remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for polyarthritis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his polyarthritis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II remains in dispute as it was previously denied based on herbicide exposure. The case is remanded for a VA examination to consider the Veteran's new theory of cadmium exposure.

The Veteran's right knee DJD with osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent from October 21, 2014 to October 9, 2017.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for TDIU from July 31, 2012. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment as of this date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist degenerative arthritis status post fracture was denied because the Veteran failed to report for a necessary VA examination without good cause.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's spina bifida, scoliosis, and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability. The claims for bilateral wrist disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

Your claim for service connection for a left ankle disability has been granted, but the issue is moot as your condition was already established by a previous decision. The effective date of your service connection is January 2, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for right thumb degenerative arthritis and dental disorder (for compensation purposes) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.