Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied in a February 2019 rating decision. The appeal was dismissed because the Veteran did not file a proper Notice of Disagreement using VA Form 21-0958, which is required under VA's legacy review system.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for ratings in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve, and intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand degenerative arthritis due to a lack of adequate rationale in the VA examination report and the need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, instability, and total knee replacement, left knee scar, right-hand degenerative arthritis disability, left-hand osteoarthritis disability, and lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims for left shoulder disability, higher evaluations for hip disabilities, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left wrist sprain with de Quervain's syndrome and degenerative arthritis, as well as his left ankle traumatic arthritis. The decision on compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of individual unemployability prior to January 29, 2018. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities but needs further review by the Director, Compensation Service due to the need for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's right and left knee strains are granted as service connection. The Veteran's musculoskeletal bilateral foot disability, aggravated during service, is also granted.,Service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and a skin disability of the feet, remains pending due to remand.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neck condition. The effective date for service connection of left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis as secondary to right knee osteoarthritis is January 20, 2020.

The Veteran's SMC was reduced due to the removal of his single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent. The Board found that he is no longer in receipt of a 100 percent rating for any single service-connected disability, thus denying his appeal to restore SMC.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also established.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral joint arthritis have not been manifested by flexion limited to 30 degrees, thus the claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA medical examination and opinion regarding the nature and likely etiology of his claimed condition, as well as whether any current non-congenital disease or defect present during the appeal period had its clinical onset during service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, lumbar stenosis, and disc herniation as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on credible lay evidence and VA medical opinions that support a finding of in-service injury and continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis and IVDS with bilateral mild sciatic radiculopathy from 60% to 60%, effective July 1, 2020.

The Veteran's initial claim for a lumbar spine disability was granted in March 2002 with a 20% rating. The Board increased the rating to 40% effective May 3, 2023. TDIU was also granted from May 1, 2009, to March 19, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as the evidence did not show that his diabetes required more than one daily insulin injection and a restricted diet. The Veteran also received a TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot disability, including osteoarthritis on the mid-foot, is related to his service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error regarding the severity of his service-connected myofascial pain syndrome and its relationship to his shoulder condition. The Board requests a retrospective opinion from an appropriate clinician.

A disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from March 23, 2020 to May 11, 2020 has been granted.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.