Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition was denied in September 1987, and the decision became final. The Veteran submitted a new claim to reopen this issue on December 20, 2019, which resulted in the grant of service connection effective from December 20, 2019. An earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right hip condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with left upper extremity radiculopathy, which is secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in physical impairment requiring regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been submitted since the October 2017 denial, which includes medical treatment records showing a current diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The Veteran's in-service injury is presumed due to combat service, but further investigation by a VA examiner is needed to determine if the disability is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine disability as there is insufficient evidence of functional impairment with repetitive use over time. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

Service connection is granted for DDD with strain and degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral spine.,Service connection is granted for right knee degenerative arthritis with post-traumatic changes.,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding her right hip disability. The issues of increased ratings for various aspects of her right hip condition are being remanded, as well as the claim for TDIU which is inextricably intertwined with these rating claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of specific information regarding where pain begins during range of motion testing, and requests that new VA examination be conducted.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis, left hip with limitation of abduction and a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis, left hip with limitation of flexion. These ratings are effective as of the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating increase and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left thumb degenerative arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of continuity of symptomatology since the Veteran's in-service injury. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current back disability, which he contends was caused by an in-service injury in October 1992.

The Veteran's right wrist arthritis is found to have begun during service and is considered etiologically related to in-service injury, warranting service connection for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a 20 percent disability rating effective March 25, 2022. The Veteran contends for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's hip and knee disabilities have been granted initial evaluations, but the Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, L5-S1 disc herniation has been withdrawn by the Veteran through his authorized representative. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's back disability and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The left bicep tear claim has been denied, and the initial PTSD rating remains at 30 percent.,Further evaluation of the right ankle, left ankle, bilateral pes planus, and hemorrhoids is needed due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating evaluation for hearing loss, hypertension, left knee scar, right knee tricompartmental degenerative arthritis, arthritis - hands, fingers, shoulder, hips, knees and right clavicle, insomnia, low back pain, numbness in arms, or right shoulder condition.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis and right knee degenerative arthritis, effectively dismissing these issues.