Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms and functional limitations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for shrapnel wound residuals of the left and right thighs have been denied. The left thigh condition remains at a maximum 40 percent rating, while the right thigh conditions are also denied with specific periods having no higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for major depressive disorder, service connection for hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for right-hand osteoarthritis were denied. The appeal for service connection for a left hand condition was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back injury and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that new evidence supports the claim and resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions as secondary to a service-connected disability due to insufficient evidence addressing direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left and right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to residuals, fracture left big toe due to procedural issues in the modernized appeal system.

The Board has granted service connection for low back degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip strain, and left knee degenerative arthritis with left knee strain, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a respiratory disability (emphysema) was dismissed. The rating for bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritis of the midfoot was restored to 50 percent effective June 1, 2020. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right ankle disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, urinary incontinence, left knee disability, right knee disability, and erectile dysfunction are granted. The Veteran is also remanded to obtain relevant medical records prior to the AOJ decision on appeal.

The Veteran's rating for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied, and service connection for a left knee disorder was also denied. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the Veteran's cervical condition. The mood disorder case is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder and lumbar spine arthritis are granted as service-connected. The left shoulder disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has restored service connection for spondylolisthesis with degenerative arthritis of the spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the original severance decisions were improper due to clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and fracture of the body due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current medical evidence.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board notes that unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine has not been established.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and related disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left hip replacement, and degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, were evaluated. The rating for active process rheumatoid arthritis was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 23, 2019 for a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has denied service connection for right hip disorder, left thumb osteoarthritis, and left wrist osteoarthritis. The Veteran's OCD claim is remanded due to inadequate examination.