Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis, chondromalacia was denied.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the 10 percent evaluation for service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis, chondromalacia was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. Service connection is now granted.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis, is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that readjudication is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hand and foot conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's right ankle gout with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 5271 for moderate limitation of motion. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of marked limitation of motion.,The Veteran's left ankle fusion with gout and degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 5270 for ankylosis in dorsiflexion between 0 degrees and 10 degrees. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis in plantar flexion or abduction, adduction, inversion, or eversion deformity.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical evidence to determine if service connection can be granted for the Veteran's claimed cervical strain condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further evaluation due to a lack of adequate examination and duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of a temporary total disability rating beyond June 1, 2020 due to right knee arthroplasty was denied. However, the Veteran received a 60 percent disability rating following her right knee total arthroplasty based on severe residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, resulting in a grant of TDIU. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher initial ratings for his service-connected back condition, headaches, PTSD, bilateral knee conditions, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has denied readjudication of the previously denied claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, an eye injury, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and gonorrhea as no new and relevant evidence was received within one year of the respective decisions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of October 8, 2014 for service connection of left hip strain and degenerative arthritis with limitation of abduction, flexion, and extension.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ is required to attempt to obtain complete service department records, including military personnel records from both active duty and Reserve service. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as the appeal is no longer valid due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for cervical strain, degenerative arthritis, IVDS with bulging disc, and thoracic strain have been granted. The appeal of the issues related to right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and an increased rating for GERD has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his conditions are manageable with the help of family members.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a cervical spine condition, finding that new evidence supports these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in an inability to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to May 9, 2020. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due solely to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent from March 22, 2010. He also received separate ratings of 10 percent for his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy during the appeal period.,The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as there was no valid appeal submitted within one year of the February 10, 2021 decision.