Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate development following a previous Board remand. The issues of rating his RLE neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, bilateral shoulder scars, and neck disability are all being reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to July 13, 2016, finding that his conditions did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of back pain since service and subsequent medical records supporting a continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the first metatarsal phalangeal joints, and pes planus have been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee conditions due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than the current assigned rating, while other issues like radiculopathy of the lower extremities and left clavicle disability received initial or partial grants of benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee osteoarthritis and TKA was granted. He is now rated at 60 percent for the residuals of his TKA as of March 1, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine began during active service and is related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an opinion regarding the Veteran's range of motion during flare-ups at different examination times.

The Board has denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left foot and knee disabilities, and has remanded his claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his service-connected back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and thus, the application to reopen the previously denied heart condition claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his service-connected right ankle and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of these cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran experienced chronic symptoms of migraines since her separation from service, and there is sufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and cervical radiculopathy due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of right hip degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension, flexion, and abduction/adduction. The effective date assigned was March 22, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination, and a new examination is needed to properly assess the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The appeals for increased evaluations of osteoarthritis and bilateral hernia repair have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is rated at 20 percent, effective August 11, 2014. His right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted initial 20 percent ratings, effective August 11, 2014 and April 29, 2019 respectively. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 15, 2012. His right foot fibromatosis and left foot fibromatosis are granted service connection. His bilateral hip strains are secondary to his knee and ankle disabilities.