Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error in the prior rating decision. The Board finds that the December 2019 examination report did not adequately consider all of the Veteran's symptomology associated with flare-ups, and thus requires a new examination.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for the service-connected major (dominant) right wrist disability from October 31, 2020. The decision is based on functional impairment consistent with favorable ankylosis in a position where the wrist can be locked at 20 to 30 degrees dorsiflexion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings in May 2023 were denied, and thus attorney fees are not granted from these decisions.

The Veteran's radiculopathy, sciatic (right lower) is granted with a rating of 20 percent.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and PTSD are both remanded for further development.,Service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, left ear hearing loss, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience. The Board granted TDIU effective September 25, 2018.

The Veteran's right hip gunshot wound residuals are rated at 40 percent disabling from March 30, 2020. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for degenerative arthritis of the right hip starting February 27, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the lack of a valid application filed prior to February 10, 2020.,The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at February 10, 2020.

The Veteran's back condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a more comprehensive evaluation to determine if his disability warrants an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including osteoarthritis and sciatica, is granted due to the submission of new evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, tinnitus, insomnia, and benign prostatic hypertrophy were granted with an effective date of May 17, 2019. The Veteran now seeks an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative arthritis of the spine is related to an injury incurred during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in July 1984, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome and restoration of a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis, kyphoscoliosis, and multilevel degenerative disease thoracic spine.

The Veteran's rating for diverticulosis with resection of the large intestine and ventral hernia was restored to 30 percent effective January 7, 2020. The Board found that the reduction from 30 percent to noncompensable was improper due to a lack of improvement in functional ability. The Veteran's ADHD and bilateral knee disorders were remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and attendant bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy was granted, effective December 22, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of the feet, as it is related to a service-connected condition (cold injury).

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right ankle was granted service connection. The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left ankle, claimed as an ankle sprain, is also granted service connection but secondary to his already service-connected right ankle condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders are rated at 30 percent for the entire period on appeal, and his service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and plantar fasciitis have been reopened but denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to March 26, 2020, for a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, nor ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.,The Veteran's appeal for effective dates prior to March 26, 2020, for grants of service connection for right and/or left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing radiculopathy on any date certain prior to March 26, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without assistive devices and lack of blindness in both eyes.