Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis and associated tendon injury of the left foot were not found to be moderately severe in nature, resulting in a denial of an increased rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates of December 9, 2016 for service connection of radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, his left hip disability (limitation of extension) and left knee disability are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran has been granted a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's major depression, recurrent moderately severe (previously rated as adjustment disorder with depressed mood), is granted a 70 percent disability rating for the period prior to January 17, 2020. For the period beginning from January 17, 2020, his major depression is granted a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right hip osteoarthritis, as well as a right knee disorder post total replacement and degenerative disc disease are granted. The claim for left knee osteoarthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left hip with impairment of the thigh is currently rated at noncompensable (0%), as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right hand conditions, including osteoarthritis and as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and back arthritis, have rendered her unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to their impact on her ability to work as a behavioral and mental health therapist.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and back arthritis, have rendered her unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to their impact on her ability to work as a behavioral and mental health therapist.

The appeal for service connection for right knee strain with osteoarthritis, right knee condition and any left knee condition as secondary to right knee condition is dismissed. The appeal for service connection for mechanical back pain syndrome with bilateral radiculopathy as secondary to right knee condition is also dismissed. The appeal for service connection for left elbow condition is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected neck disability and cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that he is entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for any condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee, hip, and ankle conditions as secondary to a service-connected left great toe fracture with degenerative arthritis. Additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions were aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to dress or undress herself and to keep herself clean without the personal assistance of another person, meeting the criteria for SMC at the rate prescribed in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected back disability, with obesity serving as an intermediate step in the development of this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) and femoral nerve was granted effective February 11, 2019.,A subsequent increased rating for the back disability was also granted effective August 6, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum opinion from a clinician addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the disability had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, right knee disability, and left knee disability, do not meet or approximate the criteria for service connection as they are not shown to have begun during active duty or be related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for low back disorder has been dismissed.,Service connection is granted for sleep apnea and GERD.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder, asthma, and right wrist osteoarthritis are all granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) is established based on evidence showing its onset during active duty. Service connection for asthma is also established as it had its onset during active duty. Right wrist osteoarthritis is causally related to military service.

The Veteran's disability rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine DDD, spondylosis, and stenosis is granted at a 40 percent effective from August 8, 2018. Other claims are remanded.