Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is unable to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, prepare his own meals, and protect himself from daily hazards. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC(l).

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating more than 20 percent for lumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and spondylolisthesis, or cervical degenerative joint disease (DJD) status post cervical fusion.

The Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis and right total hip replacement, status post arthritis, are granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand, foot, and knee disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of her conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA examinations and provide appropriate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination reports and a duty-to-assist error. The appellant's service-connected right knee disability will need further evaluation to determine its current severity.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and disability ratings related to various knee and hip conditions due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee pain is related to his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and remands the case for further development.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 21, 2013 for the award of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis and for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since at least May 21, 2013.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with gait disturbance status post-surgery disability is rated at 20 percent prior to November 18, 2019 and denied for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with gait disturbance status post-surgery disability is rated at 40 percent from November 18, 2019 and denied for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.,Effective February 7, 2021, the VA updated the criteria for evaluating ankle degenerative arthritis to include specific ranges of motion.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,The Veteran's right foot condition, including hammer toes and osteoarthritis, is remanded due to lack of in-service records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee replacements, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, were denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current disability and his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and needs to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing right ankle disability was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, left ankle osteoarthritis, right ankle osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee strain are all found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to her military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee instability is rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right knee osteoarthritis are both rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn their appeal.

The Board has determined that the AOJ's decision on appeal is remanded due to a lack of adequate VA examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis and lumbosacral strain (previously back injury) will be reconsidered with an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for subluxation of the 4th metacarpal with degenerative arthritis is granted, and he is currently rated at 20 percent.