Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 28, 2014, for a 30% evaluation for bilateral foot disability is granted. The earliest effective date for the assignment of this rating is December 28, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and bilateral knee osteoarthritis were denied as there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for clarification regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder conditions manifested within one year of discharge from service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine fracture of C2-C3, with associated radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, renders him incapable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment as of April 9, 2015.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities effective April 9, 2015.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is caused by his service-connected low back disability, and the claim for service connection is granted. The claims for higher ratings of right hip osteoarthritis, hypertension, and GERD are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with painful motion and instability are rated at 10 percent each, effective June 23, 2017. The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for his left knee instability since June 23, 2017. A separate compensable rating for neurological dysfunction of the left wrist is remanded. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 40 percent effective June 3, 2008. TDIU is granted from June 3, 2008 to December 19, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to insufficient examination findings regarding flare-ups and associated symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings and a need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's gait assessment.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on three issues: left ankle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left foot plantar wart is granted. The Board has determined that the Veteran must undergo a new VA examination to address his other diagnosed conditions, as the previous opinions are inadequate.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee disabilities and TDIU due to the Veteran not reporting to scheduled VA examinations. The matter will be further adjudicated after obtaining updated medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the current file, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is related to his service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis was rated at 10 percent, and the Board found that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinion provided was inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow disability, as well as whether it is secondary to service-connected sleep apnea or tendinopathy of the right shoulder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted a 40% rating for his service-connected back disability, effective February 4, 2021. The earlier effective date of February 4, 2021, was established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to unclear records regarding when functional ankylosis began, inadequate VA examination reports, and the need for additional medical opinions on the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right leg length shortening and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and likely cause of any diagnosed conditions.