Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for an increased disability rating for PTSD and service connection for a left-hand disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative arthritis. The RO needs to conduct additional development and readjudicate these issues.

The Veteran's right ankle osteochondral defect with degenerative arthritis was granted an initial rating of 20 percent from May 8, 2009 to October 30, 2013 and a maximum 20 percent rating thereafter. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was granted an initial rating of 40 percent effective September 28, 2013.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity were found to be service connected as a result of his lumbosacral strain. The TDIU claim was granted effective September 28, 2013.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and right shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and low back strain are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes, back disability, heart related disability, spot on lungs, and right upper extremity condition due to missing service records and further development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to January 19, 2011. The evidence does not substantiate a reasonable possibility that he is unemployable by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his work experience, skills, vocational training, and educational background from January 30, 2009 to October 6, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right hip osteoarthritis, finding that there is insufficient evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and lumbar spine disabilities on a secondary basis to her service-connected PTSD. The disabilities are caused by obesity, which was also caused by her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right leg and right knee disorders due to inadequate VA medical examinations. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at a 30 percent rating effective May 17, 2023. Prior to that date, the disability was not rated higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for bilateral knee patellofemoral osteoarthritis and depression was granted. He is also granted service connection for depressive disorder secondary to his bilateral knee disability.,Service connection for OSA was not established as the evidence did not show a relationship between the Veteran's military service and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, as well as entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are rated 10 percent prior to March 31, 2021. The Board has not yet determined the appropriate ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional examinations to clarify the current severity of his knee and ankle disabilities.,During the December 2021 Board hearing, the Veteran reported experiencing instability in both knees and right ankle, which may require further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, left knee osteoarthritis, and TDIU due to inappropriately assigned ratings and unresolved issues regarding service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet his claim for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient private medical records from the Veteran's family doctor, which were not obtained prior to 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment prior to November 2, 2021. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU effective October 7, 2014.