Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for extension of the left thigh and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left hip with CAM lesion.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as he did not have any service-connected disabilities at the time of the decision.,Service connection for PTSD and mild depressive and anxiety disorder were granted, with the Board finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his military sexual trauma during active duty.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, as the combined range of motion was not less than 170 degrees.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica is rated at 10 percent, as it did not result in more than mild incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, as diastolic pressure was not predominantly 100 or more and systolic pressure was not predominantly 160 or more.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee condition was denied as the evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees.,Service connection for bilateral arthritis of the feet was also denied because there is no current diagnosis of arthritis in either foot.

The Veteran's tuberculosis claim was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for metatarsalgia with plantar fasciitis, left foot and right foot was denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected, and the Board finds that it is proximately due to or caused by their service-connected left hip injury. The case is remanded for a VA examination to assess additional impairment from the service-connected fractures.

The Veteran's knee and foot conditions have been remanded for further examination and opinion. His TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to non-weightbearing range of motion, functional limitation, and medication effects on the lumbar spine. The right and left foot neuropathy ratings and effective dates need to be addressed. An opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle disorder is related to active duty service or a 1968 sprain.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right and left hip osteoarthritis is denied. The appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder strain is remanded.,Additional information on the impact of flare-ups is needed to determine appropriate functional loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate findings to warrant such a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a right knee disability was denied, and his lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% rating effective June 18, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for non-degenerative arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis is denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet, and hammer toe of the left foot second toe as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II. ,Service connection is granted for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II.,The Veteran's claim for gout, other than gout of the fingers and thumbs remains pending due to lack of evidence regarding its onset in service or herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's claim for hammer toes other than the second toe of the left foot is remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, to include arthritis, is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, which is believed to have pre-dated his service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran is granted service connection for migraine headaches.,Effective March 28, 2017, the Veteran's low back disorder was rated at 20 percent and his psoriasis was granted service connection. The radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities were also granted service connection effective March 28, 2017.,The Veteran is denied an earlier effective date for these grants.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate development of his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and radiculopathy. A new VA examination is needed to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in total unemployability, as he has not provided specific information about his employment history and income levels.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar spondylosis, as well as bilateral lumbar radiculopathy. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are causally related to an injury during military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his pre-service tibia fracture, has been rated at 30 percent since December 13, 2021. The Board denied a higher rating for the period prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether any left foot disability is secondary to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.