Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability and an opinion on whether his acquired psychiatric disorder is related to service.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the shoulder disability at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate.,For both conditions, the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine conditions due to incomplete development of records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and rating determinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service injury and subsequent treatment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as a claim for total disability due to individual unemployability based upon service-connected disorders prior to July 27, 2021, have all been denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for rheumatoid arthritis (claimed as osteoarthritis) and lupus are remanded due to the need for additional development.,PTSD, hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux, anemia secondary to lupus, low white blood cell count secondary to lupus, hypertension secondary to lupus, gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to service-connected hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux, undifferentiated facial dermatitis, left foot pes planus with fasciitis, and TDIU are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals for increased rating and service connection due to untimely filing of her substantive appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's right fifth finger fracture is rated as noncompensable prior to January 16, 2020, and since February 28, 2022. From January 16, 2020, to February 28, 2022, a 10 percent rating for the right fifth finger fracture is granted. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee strain are both remanded for further development.

The Veteran's dental disabilities and dyshidrotic eczema have been granted service connection. The right shoulder disability, right lower extremity disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic headaches, right shoulder bursitis, thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis, left shoulder bursitis (prior to March 18, 2015), knee arthritis, hand degenerative joint disease, ankle strains, and cervical osteoarthritis, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to September 22, 2017. The Board granted the Veteran's TDIU claim based on this evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and meniscal tear of the right knee are remanded due to outstanding medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depressive disorder and knee conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 20, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU claim effective from that date.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and rating consideration. The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a head injury was withdrawn, and the maximum schedular disability rating for his left knee replacement is maintained. Issues regarding increased ratings for right knee disability, shortening of the left leg, right shoulder recurrent dislocation, and facial scars are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional examinations and development, including obtaining information about the Veteran's employment history and education level.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder and somatic disorder, is granted as service-connected. The low back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression), osteoarthritis of the right ankle, osteoarthritis of the left ankle, and lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease are remanded. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbar spine mild compression fracture, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active duty service.