Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities is being remanded due to an error in providing notice of the right to a hearing before the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for left hand osteoarthritis of the first MCP joint, finding that it is related to an in-service injury and resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted disability ratings of 70 percent, 30 percent, and 20 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) respectively, effective November 25, 2020. The ratings for other conditions were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed back disability, degenerative arthritis and DDD, finding that it had its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability and whether it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, right hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders to obtain an appropriate medical opinion on their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis, finding that it is etiologically related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia were evaluated, but the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.,Both knees are rated based on limitation of motion under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (flexion) and 5261 (extension).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence in the March 2022 VA medical examination and a need for additional development regarding the Veteran's National Guard/Reserve service. The AOJ should schedule a new VA examination to determine if any left shoulder disabilities are related to her active duty or Reserve service.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a higher disability rating for right knee degenerative arthritis and residuals of right knee total knee arthroplasty, as well as the issue of entitlement to TDIU, due to an inadequate VA examination report.

The Board granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability effective January 31, 2011, but denied an increased rating for bilateral metatarsalgia.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, finding that his current diagnoses are not related to an in-service injury or disease and are more likely due to age-related degeneration.