Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 40 percent from November 4, 2021. The case is remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are each rated at 20 percent. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right foot degenerative arthritis with acquired pes cavus and plantar fasciitis, and left foot degenerative arthritis with acquired pes cavus and plantar fasciitis are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral feet disabilities due to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis must be readjudicated, as no new and relevant evidence has been submitted since the previous denial in November 2020. The remaining claims of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, left shoulder impingement syndrome, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee pain. The Veteran is requested to provide a new medical opinion that addresses his service connection claim.

The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis has been rated at 20 percent since December 10, 2016. The appeal is denied as the current disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination and inadequate opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The Veteran is required to be examined again to address his claims of pre-existing condition, aggravation during service, and relationship to active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since April 27, 2023. Effective as of that date, he is granted a TDIU and SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of four issues related to knee and foot conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied a compensable rating as the blood pressure readings did not meet the criteria for a 10% or higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code (DC) 7101.,Service connection for swan neck deformity with degenerative arthritis, left little finger is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding aggravation of the condition during service.

The Veteran's migraine including migraine variants and L5-S1 and multilevel thoracic spine disc disease, degenerative arthritis are granted a 30 percent rating each. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and causation of his left shoulder, low back, and neck conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis due to service connection. The AOJ is required to obtain a medical opinion regarding direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss or use of his lower extremities, which affects balance and propulsion as to preclude locomotion without assistive devices. Therefore, he is ineligible for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the VA Form 10182 did not specify a specific issue to appeal, and there were no decisions within one year of the form that could be appealed.

The Board has denied service connection for an eating disorder, a head condition, and left knee joint osteoarthritis. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis has been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received to warrant readjudication.,Service connection for a lower back condition secondary to right hip total arthroplasty is also denied due to the lack of a causal relationship between the conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for right leg length discrepancy has been denied as there is no evidence of shortening that meets the criteria for a 10% rating.

The Board has remanded multiple cases related to increased ratings and effective dates for various conditions, including a right foot heel fracture, an acquired psychiatric disorder, dermatitis with scarring, degenerative arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, distal phalanx fractures, scars from the knee and thumb, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeals also include requests for earlier effective dates for service connection.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to right knee tendinopathy with osteoarthritis and for hemorrhoids due to lack of current diagnosis.