Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is found to have started during his active service and continues since separation. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted with an effective date of September 23, 2021. The TDIU was awarded due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's arthritic disabilities, including gout and degenerative arthritis of the ankles, and his active service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound benefits is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his conditions prior to certain dates.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD with depressive disorder not otherwise specified was denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension claim is remanded as it has been nearly seven years since he last underwent a VA examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, bilateral knees. The evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's knee disability is related to his active-duty service.

Your appeal for service connection of your back condition has been dismissed as the Veteran passed away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's right thumb fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for an increased rating has been granted.,The Veteran's right little finger fracture is currently rated at 0 percent, and a compensable evaluation of 10 percent has been granted.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for left ankle impingement syndrome and degenerative arthritis, effective August 31, 2020. However, the claim of a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left ankle disability is remanded due to improper reduction.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 24, 2015 have been denied as there were no formal or informal claims filed prior to that date.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion and impairment of the humerus. Ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists are granted, with a maximum rating of 30 percent for each wrist.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis and herniated disc of the lumbar spine before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, and lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease (DDD) as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities. The VA is required to provide an addendum opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to his service-connected knees.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain may have aggravated her current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and thus remands for further development to obtain a medical opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and bilateral foot disorder have been granted.,Evidence received since the April 2020 rating decision, including VA treatment records, a private nexus opinion, and hearing testimony, supports the conclusion that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the initial examination and lack of medical records, requiring further investigation into the Veteran's lower back conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an injury noted during his active service and supported by continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative arthritis, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability, to include acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability, to include acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of June 30, 2019 for a 30 percent rating for left foot degenerative arthritis with displacement of the second metatarsal laterally. The Board found that his symptoms and functional impairment increased within a year prior to the June 2020 VA examination.