Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection for a left wrist TFCC tear is granted. The rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for benign prostatic hypertrophy with urge incontinence (BPH) is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities. The issues of service connection for pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and right degenerative arthritis are now pending.

The Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus were granted initial ratings, while the overactive bladder condition was granted a maximum schedular rating. Service connection for stomach condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, back condition, high cholesterol, low vitamin D, and left knee condition were denied.

An effective date of January 16, 2017 is granted for a 50 percent rating for right hip osteoarthritis. The Veteran's disability remains rated at 30 percent prior to this date and at 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, effective November 23, 2016. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted prior to this date.,The Veteran's status post compression fracture T-12 and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's cervical degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left hip strain affecting limitation of extension is currently rated at 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left hip strain affecting limitation of flexion is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a compensable rating is warranted.,The Veteran's stricture of the esophagus is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if a compensable rating is warranted.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right hip disability, which may be secondary to his left hip disabilities. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if this condition is related to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran seeks service connection for sleep apnea, which may be secondary to his service-connected conditions. The Board finds that additional examination and/or evidence are needed to determine if this condition is related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for denying a higher rating for the Veteran's low back disability. The matter is being sent back for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as residuals of a torn right knee meniscus and left knee degenerative arthritis. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hand disability, left foot disability, and left toe disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence.,Service connection was also denied for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hip joints.

The Veteran's back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent, 40 percent, and 20 percent respectively. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding her need for aid and attendance or housebound SMC based on her service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must obtain any outstanding treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 3, 2013, to April 3, 2022.

The Veteran's knee and hip conditions have been rated based on their current functional impairment, with some issues granted ratings while others are denied. The Veteran received separate maximum schedular ratings for his right knee meniscus tear residuals and left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate VA medical examinations and failure to comply with previous remand orders. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their current severity, as well as to determine the nature and etiology of his headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The issues have been remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's 20% rating for degenerative arthritis, instability and dislocation right shoulder was restored from September 1, 2018.

The Board has decided that additional evidence from Indian Health Service needs to be obtained in order to properly decide the service connection claims for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, instability of the left and right knees, and osteoarthritis of the right hip.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for an additional VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis with impingement and dismissed the issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as his right foot Morton's neuroma and hallux rigidus, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.