Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for folliculitis and tinea pedis was dismissed. The claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy to the right upper extremity (previously right arm muscular pain/numbness) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the severity and frequency of flare-ups, as well as inconsistencies in the VA examination reports. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his current right hip disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits prior to January 30, 2019, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU and that he was not unemployable due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain private medical records from Dr. Mayol and for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis, was incurred in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, shoulder, hand, knee, and ankle disorders. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, to include as secondary to her service-connected disabilities. The VA medical opinion is inadequate due to lack of discussion on the Veteran's lay statements regarding her in-service fall and weight distribution.

The Board has remanded the claim for increased rating for right knee disability due to missing private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee, hand, wrist, foot, and eye conditions, as well as a psychiatric disability (PTSD), are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation.

The Board found that the appellant's osteoarthritis of the bilateral legs was not caused by VA care or treatment, and thus compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her low back disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 19, 2021. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis was rated at 20 percent from October 3, 2008 to November 13, 2011. The rating was increased to 40 percent effective November 14, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and scars, back, status post shave biopsy were denied. The rating for degenerative arthritis was not granted as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right knee, left knee, right hip, left hip disabilities, and degenerative disc disease to include degenerative arthritis of the lower back. The issues are related to whether these conditions had their onset during military service or are otherwise causally or etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees is rated at 10 percent each, with a separate rating for limitation of extension in both knees. The Veteran's hypertension is not compensably disabling.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee was denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a higher rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis and strain of the lumbosacral spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve. The effective dates for the ratings assigned are also being remanded.,Additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his service-connected IVDS with degenerative arthritis and strain of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her lumbar spine and service connection for migraines are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial review of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder strain and impingement syndrome as these conditions are at least as likely as not having had their onset during active duty.