Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected urethral stricture and right shoulder disability are being remanded for further review. The appeal also includes a request to reopen the claim for chronic kidney disease, which is related to the urethral stricture.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied from November 27, 2012 due to his full-time employment at VA and the Department of the Navy. Despite having a combined disability rating of 80%, he maintained substantial gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for his thoracolumbar strain with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination reports and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee disability over the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent effective August 1, 2022.,Ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied prior to August 1, 2022. Ratings of 20 percent are granted beginning on August 1, 2022.,Ratings for right and left lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy were denied prior to August 1, 2022. Ratings of 20 percent are granted beginning on August 1, 2022.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to increased ratings and effective dates for various knee, back, and shoulder conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and right foot plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition is due to an in-service injury, while her right foot plantar fasciitis is secondary to her left foot plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the right and left knees each receiving a 20% rating for instability. The right knee also received a 10% rating for flexion limitation, while the left knee received a 10% rating for extension limitation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraines, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder slap tear, degenerative arthritis of cervical spine, left knee disability, TBI, tinnitus, asthma, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining such employment.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as service-connected. The issues of right knee, left knee, and right foot disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right hip disability evaluation from 10% to 30%, effective August 1, 2020, based on evidence showing improvement in his condition under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the Veteran's hip disabilities, and thus remands the claims for further development.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from August 1, 2018 to September 9, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right great toe disability is granted a 20 percent rating. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depressive disorder and PTSD, is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right shoulder condition and has denied service connection for this condition. The cases related to left ankle strain, right ankle strain, right knee condition, and left knee condition are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities, left and right upper extremity radiculopathies are granted service connection. His bilateral hearing loss is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several issues, including service connection claims and disability rating determinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and consideration of lay contentions. The Veteran is scheduled for VA examinations to address his claimed disabilities.