Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions and for a TDIU prior to December 28, 2011 due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of the temporary total rating beyond June 30, 2019, for left knee osteoarthritis following a total knee replacement is denied as there is no legal or factual basis to provide such an extension.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for degenerative arthritis with right myofascial pain syndrome was dismissed because it was considered a prohibited concurrent election.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and a left knee condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries. Service connection was denied for dental trauma due to lack of evidence showing loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder and migraine headaches prior to September 28, 2018 has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition with arthritis is rated at 40 percent, but the Board has remanded this issue due to insufficient evidence. The low back scar associated with the lumbar spine condition is granted a 10 percent rating. Allergic rhinitis remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on current evidence. The Veteran has some occasional restriction of motion but no reports of irregular muscle spasms or reduced strength.,The Veteran's ankle disorders produce occasional pain and slight limitation of motion in both ankles.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot conditions, including hammer toes, metatarsalgia, degenerative arthritis, and plantar fasciitis. The issues are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, OSA, HTN, and other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS is remanded due to the need for additional development, including an adequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right foot or big toe condition is related to service, specifically an injury from a towbar falling on his toe during service in Germany.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the April 2023 VA examination. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity and functional impairment of the condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and additional development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected limitation of flexion from patellofemoral syndrome, right knee, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition and a neck/upper back condition, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was granted for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist osteoarthritis based on their being secondary to the Veteran's service-connected ganglion cyst.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 19, 2017 for a 50 percent rating for service-connected PTSD is denied. The Veteran was previously granted service connection and a 10 percent initial rating for PTSD on May 1, 2009, but did not file a VA Form 9 within the required timeframe to perfect his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment, leading the Board to grant his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with its February 2023 remand directives and requires further development to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current foot conditions and her active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine has been readjudicated due to submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that his current back disability is related to his in-service injuries, including a motor vehicle accident in September 1961.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the condition began during service and continues today.