Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hepatitis C prior to October 20, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter has been dismissed. The case is remanded for further development regarding the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder disabilities due to deficiencies in a previous VA examination and failure to address certain arguments raised by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee chondromalacia patellae with osteoarthritis due to inadequate examination reports and the need to consider the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and right humerus open supracondylar fracture was restored to a 30 percent rating effective July 1, 2022.,TDIU was granted beginning January 25, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the AOJ not considering all relevant VA treatment records, including those from March 2022 - April 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no medical evidence linking his current symptoms to any in-service incident or disability.,For the scar of the right big toe, associated with hallux rigidus with degenerative arthritis, a compensable rating is denied as the scar does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left knee disorder because the Veteran's current diagnoses of left knee joint osteoarthritis and meniscal tear are not considered an additional disability after participation in the CWT program.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist condition, finding that her current diagnosis is not related to her service-connected shoulder disability and there is no evidence of an interrelated cause between shoulder pain and wrist arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are dismissed as the rating decisions awarding his service-connected disabilities became final.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including dysthymic disorder, heatstroke-related migraines, and low back strain with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the combined effects of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left foot stress fracture and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The case is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the Veteran's osteoarthritis and pes cavus, as well as their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinions regarding secondary service connection for left hip osteoarthritis are inadequate and requires further development of medical opinion evidence.

The Board denied the appeal as the severance of service connection for left foot painful scars was proper, and the rating reduction from 50 percent to 30 percent effective June 1, 2022 for a left foot disorder was also proper.

The Veteran's claim for a back disability was previously denied in August 2012 and became final. The Veteran submitted new evidence in May 2020, which led to the grant of service connection for a back disability as secondary to his existing service-connected condition.,A right ankle fracture was granted service connection effective January 18, 2021, based on the date the claim was received.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and various hip and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to perform daily activities without assistance. The Board has determined that he requires regular aid and attendance due to these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities have been granted with an effective date of January 24, 2021.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis. The claim for a right ankle disorder was denied. Service connection for hypertension is also granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 50 percent from April 1, 2023. The Board found that the condition resulted in severe painful motion or weakness and granted a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and other issues.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 17, 2012 for the Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits. The effective dates are based on the Veteran's last reported work in February 2012.