Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's increased ratings for left and right knee osteoarthritis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sinusitis is denied, and his claims for TDIU prior to September 21, 2018 are also denied. His TDIU from September 21, 2018 is moot due to the grant of SMC at the S-1 level.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to address the severity of his lumbar spine and right hip disabilities, as well as for clarification on conflicting findings regarding ankylosis. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, and right hand, middle finger condition due to incomplete consideration of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back condition.

Your claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of unspecified anxiety disorder, left shoulder strain to include degenerative arthritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been dismissed as the Veteran is already in receipt of these benefits from October 1, 2005.,Your claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of left foot Morton's neuroma and metatarsalgia has also been dismissed. You are currently receiving this benefit since October 1, 2005.

The Veteran's initial rating for his back disability, right knee disabilities (including right lower extremity radiculopathy), and left knee disabilities have been denied. The appeals are based on the severity of these conditions without any indication of service connection through a presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's neck and upper back disabilities, as well as her left upper extremity radiculopathy, are granted service connection.,However, the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder condition do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination report, and a new medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating of more than 30 percent since October 1, 2019, for his right shoulder disorder is dismissed due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, finding that it is aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The appeals for service connection claims related to degenerative arthritis of the spine, residuals of broken left ankle, and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings and TDIU related to bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis and plantar fasciitis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and a scar from right knee arthroscopy. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent, 40 percent, and 30 percent respectively. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board dismissed all claims for increased ratings as the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement with the May 2018 rating decisions granting service connection and individual evaluations for left ankle effusion, right ankle effusion, right foot fracture, scapholunate advance collapse of the left wrist, and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his representation and the appeal is no longer valid.

The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is rated based on limitation of motion, with a maximum rating of 10 percent for each knee. The Veteran was granted separate 10 percent ratings for left and right knee instability.,Service connection for GERD and erectile dysfunction is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions may have caused or aggravated his left foot condition. The case is now required to obtain an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left foot condition, considering his statements and VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left-hand degenerative arthritis and bilateral idiopathic peripheral autonomic neuropathy, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension. The Veteran is also being asked to complete forms for a TDIU claim.