Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's bilateral degenerative arthritis of the hands is granted as service-connected, and an effective date of December 1, 2021 for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left hip disorder and right knee and hip disabilities. Additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are service-connected or warrant a higher rating.

This decision grants effective dates of September 28, 2017, but no earlier, for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities. The Veteran's claim for a 20% rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is denied as it cannot be determined that an increase in disability occurred prior to July 3, 2018.

The Veteran's hyperhidrosis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee strain are all granted service connection. The conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The claim for an increased rating for other specified depressive disorder has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination. The AOJ is instructed to obtain and associate any outstanding VA treatment records, schedule a VA examination, and ensure compliance with the Board's instructions.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including plantar fasciitis, pes planus, pes cavus, and sesamoiditis, do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating prior to September 6, 2023.,From September 6, 2023, the Veteran is rated at the maximum schedular disability rating of 50 percent for his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus, pes cavus, and sesamoiditis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his low back disability is remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the full range of motion, frequency, and duration of any flare-ups.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including a new VA examination for his psychiatric disorder and knee and spine disabilities.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined and for updated VA medical records to be obtained in order to determine the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder and scar disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as the schedular criteria for TDIU were not met prior to April 1, 2015. The effective date of TDIU cannot be earlier than the effective date of service connection for the underlying disability or disabilities upon which the TDIU is based.

The Veteran's request for service connection for OSA was granted, and he is now rated at 20% for his right shoulder degenerative arthritis. The TDIU rating remains in effect. The case of chronic pancreatitis has been remanded.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected back injury residuals with osteoarthritis is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and bilateral ankle osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for left foot degenerative arthritis was denied. The appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and denied them. Service connection was also denied for a bilateral eye disability. Increased ratings were denied for allergic rhinitis, hypertension, osteoarthritis and traumatic arthritis of the right knee, hallux valgus of the right foot, and hallux valgus of the left foot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine status-post fusion and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports and changes in rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include acne, unspecified degenerative arthritis, calcific tendonitis, chronic left wrist tendonitis, and a musculoskeletal condition related to toxic exposure in the Persian Gulf.

PTSD and COPD have been granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure during service. Left knee degenerative arthritis and lumbar degenerative disc disease have also been granted.,Right knee issues, including limitation of flexion, extension, lateral instability, and partial removal of semilunar cartilage, are all granted.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination addressing functional impairment during flare-ups and the impact of the Veteran's symptoms on his ability to perform occupational tasks.