Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various hand and finger disabilities, as well as hypertension, was denied. The effective dates for service connection were also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis of the MTP joints is rated at 10 percent for each foot, effective September 29, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions.

The Board has found that the VA examinations for the Veteran's cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and right upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are inadequate due to a lack of range-of-motion testing during flares. The claims are being remanded for new VA examinations to address these issues.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back spasm, idiopathic urticaria (skin hives), PTSD, and right lower extremity joint issues have been reopened.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's right hip degenerative arthritis and impairment of thigh with atrophy, as well as his left hip degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion, have been granted initial disability ratings. However, the rating for right hip degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, previously rated as diffuse arthralgias of low back pain, is not currently manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. As such, a rating in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left knee degenerative arthritis status-post open reduction and internal fixation of distal femur fracture and proximal tibia fracture, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial disability ratings of 40 percent, effective October 10, 2016.

The Veteran's right hip disability was granted service connection and a rating of 70% effective November 13, 2019. Service connection for low back degenerative arthritis was also granted.

The Veteran is eligible for special monthly compensation (SMC) prior to December 5, 2019 and from July 1, 2021 due to his cervical spine disability. His other service-connected disabilities have a total combined rating of 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided that the issue of whether the Veteran's right elbow tendonitis is related to his service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the shoulder and radiculopathy, needs further clarification. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her adjustment disorder and various physical conditions, have impacted her ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 2, 2015. The Board has remanded the case for extra-schedular consideration of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right knee disabilities and his service. The VA will need to conduct a new examination and provide an opinion on whether there is at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability as secondary to service-connected rib disability and granted a 20 percent rating for left ankle disability, excluding periods of temporary total ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a back condition, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after resolving the issue of service connection for the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's assertion of a left foot disability, but the current evidence does not support service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and hypertension have been denied. The effective date of the TDIU award is June 1, 2017.,Service connection was not granted for PTSD as it did not meet the criteria for direct or secondary service connection.