Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hand disability, left foot disability, and left toe disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence.,Service connection was also denied for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hip joints.

The Veteran's back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent, 40 percent, and 20 percent respectively. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding her need for aid and attendance or housebound SMC based on her service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 3, 2013, to April 3, 2022.

The Veteran's knee and hip conditions have been rated based on their current functional impairment, with some issues granted ratings while others are denied. The Veteran received separate maximum schedular ratings for his right knee meniscus tear residuals and left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA medical examinations and failure to comply with previous remand orders. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their current severity, as well as to determine the nature and etiology of his headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The issues have been remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's 20% rating for degenerative arthritis, instability and dislocation right shoulder was restored from September 1, 2018.

The Board has decided that additional evidence from Indian Health Service needs to be obtained in order to properly decide the service connection claims for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, instability of the left and right knees, and osteoarthritis of the right hip.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for an additional VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis with impingement and dismissed the issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as his right foot Morton's neuroma and hallux rigidus, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left and right knee conditions, back issues, radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, upper extremity radiculopathy, hypothyroidism, and PSVT, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee PSO is dismissed as the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent has already been assigned. The claim for TDIU prior to May 14, 2013, is also denied due to lack of evidence and participation in development.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for left and right ankle disabilities are both denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, GERD, left leg shin splint, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and respiratory condition. The Veteran is presumed to have toxic exposure in service due to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS due to inadequate prior examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and left knee disabilities. The remaining issues of secondary service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, right-hand, and left-hand conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis, finding that her symptoms were noted in service and have continued since then.