Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right hand disorder, including osteoarthritis of the first metacarpal joint and claimed as swelling. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the evaluation in excess of 10 percent and 0 percent for right hip osteoarthritis with limitation of extension, which was dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity during service or after service to support a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and right leg radiculopathy were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, precluded her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 8, 2019.

The appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded, as are the appeals for vertigo, weak bone density, and a chronic skin condition.

The Veteran's appeal of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction has been withdrawn.,The Board has remanded the issues of initial increased (compensable) rating for left hip degenerative arthritis, service connection for chronic back pain, and service connection for right knee and left knee chronic pain.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been granted.,Effective from July 23, 2007, the Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities. Effective from May 10, 2021, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent disability rating for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since July 23, 2007. The effective date remains unchanged.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not rated higher than 10 percent due to limited flexion. The claim for increased rating remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and left knee conditions, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has identified several issues on appeal, including claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow the AOJ to consider all evidence, including new VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee flexion, extension, and osteoarthritis disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo a new VA examination to assess his current range of motion and functional impairment.

The Veteran's cervical myositis and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with bulging disc are currently rated at 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The initial 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from July 16, 2013 to June 13, 2023 is granted. From June 14, 2023 onwards, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The case is REMANDED for further development regarding left lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right hip arthritis is related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is granted service connection. Service connection for a right foot condition, glaucoma, and herpes keratitis are denied. Effective dates prior to July 13, 2016, for increased evaluations of left shoulder degenerative joint disease and right shoulder degenerative joint disease are denied. The Veteran's GERD is granted an evaluation greater than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions and to obtain missing records. The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is still rated at 10 percent, but his separate rating for dislocated cartilage from July 14, 2019 through December 10, 2020 remains in place.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being needed, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and a condition claimed as swollen glands, finding no evidence of causation or aggravation by service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied effective dates prior to December 3, 2013, for the grant of service connection for right knee meniscal tear and strain with osteoarthritis.,The Board also remanded several claims related to the Veteran's right knee, lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right CTS, and scar.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee osteoarthritis and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs to provide updated VA treatment records from Memphis, TN, and obtain SSA disability records.