Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted at 50%, 40%, and 40% respectively.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim prior to December 28, 2011. The RO is instructed to obtain a retrospective opinion addressing the Veteran's bilateral knee functional loss to flare-ups.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, as well as right external popliteal neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, with all reasonable doubt resolved in her favor.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disorder and instability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee disorder, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability.

The Veteran's appeal to restore the 40 percent rating for IVDS from January 1, 2023 was dismissed as moot because the RO restored the rating.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for his back disability, and the Board dismissed the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, finding that her injury occurred during Reserve duty in January 2004 and is caused by this injury.

The claims for higher initial ratings of right and left knee disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical inquiry.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 20 percent for right knee osteoarthritis with painful motion from April 1, 2015, and a 10 percent rating for right knee instability from April 1, 2015 to May 4, 2018. The claim for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for right knee instability was denied from May 5, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective June 6, 2017. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to January 1, 2020, based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected dorsal spine condition. The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further review due to a timely Notice of Disagreement filed with the September 2018 rating decision that assigned an effective date of July 27, 2018 for service connection. The Veteran is advised of her right to de novo review or traditional appeal process.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis including bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and residuals of left great toe fracture is rated at 30 percent, which is appropriate given her symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe ratings.,The Veteran's bilateral TMD joint dysfunction with nocturnal bruxism is rated at 10 percent, which is appropriate based on her interincisal range and dietary restrictions.,The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis including disc space narrowing is rated at 10 percent, which is appropriate given the limitations in motion and functional impairment.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve is rated at 30 percent, which is appropriate based on her symptoms and findings.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve is rated at 40 percent, which is appropriate given the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain including degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent, which is appropriate based on her findings and limitations.,The Veteran's uterine fibroid is not compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee condition and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there is no causal connection between his in-service event and his current disability.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee joint patellofemoral pain syndrome and a separate compensable disability rating for right knee joint osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, as well as dismissed the appeal for entitlement to a TDIU prior to August 17, 2016.