Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a Board decision. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left hip disability (secondary to low back disability) and right hip disability (secondary to low back disability) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left foot disability, which includes residuals of a left fifth toe fracture with degenerative arthritis, is denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of actual loss of use of the foot.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disorders are related to his in-service diagnosis of chronic left patella subluxation.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including impingement, rotator cuff and bicipital tendonitis, glenohumeral and acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, has not met the criteria for a higher initial rating of more than 20 percent prior to March 28, 2022, or more than 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and its aggravation by her service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted an initial 40 percent evaluation, effective July 28, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic right ankle symptoms during or within one year after service separation. The Board also found insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current right ankle arthritis and service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and carpal tunnel syndrome are rated based on their severity, with the right knee receiving a separate rating for cartilage involvement. The case is remanded due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by severe hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis and hammertoes, is rated at 30 percent since June 10, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis was granted. The issues of service connection for left knee disability and lumbar spine disability are remanded.,Right knee osteoarthritis is found to be related to the Veteran's military service, with frequent stooping, squatting, kneeling, and climbing ladders being contributory factors.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations for his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for her low back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hand osteoarthritis and left knee disorder are granted service connection. The Board finds the evidence is at least as likely as not that her back disorder had its onset during service, but a VA examination is needed to determine if it is related to her service-connected bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's in-service parachute jumps are related to his current condition. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the previous denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative changes of the lower thoracic spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), left rotator cuff degenerative joint disease with impingement, left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, and right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease is dismissed. Service connection is granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and the issues of service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve disorders, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and muscle and joint pain are remanded.

The Board denied an effective date prior to October 5, 2004, for the award of a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Independent of Service Connection) due to lack of formal or informal claim for increased rating and/or TDIU prior to that date.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of TBI is granted.,An increased rating to 10 percent for hypertension is granted prior to August 10, 2016. A higher rating is denied beginning from that date.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 40 percent from September 26, 2012 to December 20, 2022.,A higher evaluation in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disability from December 20, 2022 is denied.