Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, bilateral pes planus with left foot degenerative arthritis, and left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative disc disease, spondylosis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is granted.,The Veteran's left upper neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and is granted.,The Veteran's right upper neuropathy is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents and is granted.,The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy, causally due to his service-connected back disability, is granted.,The Veteran's left lower radiculopathy, causally due to his service-connected back disability, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a new opinion regarding the functional equivalent of unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine and addressing whether TDIU should be granted on an extraschedular basis.,The Veteran's appeal is also remanded to develop and adjudicate his claim for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate and/or based on the need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases in the December 2022 decision, and further development is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left foot and right foot disabilities, finding no current disability diagnoses. The reduction in rating for lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination regarding the Veteran's ability to require aid and attendance or be housebound.

The Board has remanded the cases for adjudication of the surviving spouse's eligibility to substitute in her husband's claims of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain, lumbar spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA will conduct new examinations to assess the severity of these conditions during the rating period.

The appeals for increased disability ratings for right and left ring finger degenerative arthritis, fracture residuals were dismissed as the Veteran did not provide a timely Notice of Disagreement within one year following notice of the July 2021 rating decision.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board also finds no basis for granting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion regarding secondary service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and left hip strain are not compliant with legal requirements, necessitating a remand to obtain a new medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right foot hallux valgus, and left foot hammer toes. Service connection is denied for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis were denied, and the effective dates for these awards are not earlier than November 24, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left hip disabilities, including as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions considering all evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his request to connect service with foot strain, are being remanded due to the need for further review.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion are granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,Separate disability ratings of 10 percent but no higher for right and left knee instability are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for buttocks pain, rectal dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis, non-union left elbow chip fracture with resolution of elbow effusion and osteoarthritis associated with history of lumbosacral strain with disk herniation at L4-5 and L5-S1 and DDD, and left shoulder strain have all been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip numbness, left hip numbness, a disability of the right foot toes, a disability of the left foot toes, a sleep disorder to include sleep apnea, hypertension, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, and an effective date prior to August 20, 2002 have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and evidence. The issues include left knee, left hip, and right wrist disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis and has remanded the issue of right shoulder disability, including bursitis and degenerative arthritis. The decision is based on insufficient evidence to establish a link between the current disabilities and service.