Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to July 26, 2018 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence meeting the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and because there is reasonable possibility that he was unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for traumatic arthritis of the left elbow, left elbow osteoarthritis, and a right knee disability with limitation of flexion. The Veteran's appeal for an increased compensable rating for right knee instability is remanded. Appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy are also remanded. The TDIU claim is deferred pending adjudication of the above-mentioned issues.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral and left hip osteoarthritis (OA) as caused or aggravated by service-connected bilateral knee OA.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her left knee, hip, and other conditions.,The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, chronic coughing, acne, menstrual condition, and bilateral shin splints are being remanded as she has not provided clarification on which specific joints her claim relates to.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left shoulder dislocation with osteoarthritis status post repair of RTC tears was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his left shoulder disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial rating for left shoulder osteoarthritis was also denied. The Veteran's anxiety condition, sensitivity to bright lights (secondary to migraines), and sinusitis were not granted service connection. Other conditions like hypertension, IBS, and eczema were also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine has been granted.,Both his claims for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine, have been remanded.

The Veteran's back brace caused damage to his shirts, leading the Board to grant a clothing allowance for the 2019 calendar year.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle degenerative arthritis, PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate aggravation medical opinion, and a new one must be obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected mild plantar fasciitis, effective June 12, 2019.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to limited motion of 10 degrees of extension.,The Veteran's semilunar cartilage removal of the right knee has been granted a 10 percent rating based on frequent episodes of joint pain and effusion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right foot disorder. The claim will be reconsidered with the addition of a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 26, 2010, for the award of service connection for degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain is denied. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain is also denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for these claims are inadequate and remands them to obtain new evaluations. The Veteran's right knee conditions, including meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis and instability, as well as his right wrist sprain with nonunion of styloid process fracture and left wrist sprain with post-traumatic arthritis, require further assessment.

The Veteran's back condition is granted as service connected.,His bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected back condition. The issue of polyuria and proteinuria (urinary condition) is remanded for further review.,Service connection for polyuria and proteinuria as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to April 3, 2019 was not productive of total occupational and social impairment.,On or after April 3, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective January 6, 2021, based on VA treatment records indicating symptoms warranting a 70 percent evaluation. The Board found no evidence of an earlier increase in disability.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition was rated at 30 percent effective February 3, 2022, based on a VA examination showing symptoms warranting the increase. The Board found no indication of an earlier ascertainable worsening.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder (non-dominant), and non-allergic rhinitis with throat irritation were denied. The claim for left knee instability was granted with an effective date of January 12, 2007.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for non-allergic rhinitis with throat irritation was dismissed due to lack of timely appeal and no new relevant evidence received within the applicable period.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 24, 2020 for the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision is based on the fact that the Veteran submitted a complete application within one year of his intent to file form.