Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development, specifically a need for a new examination of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's hip disabilities, including limitation of extension and flexion, as well as instability, have been granted increased disability ratings. The effective dates for these decisions are not specified.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated as 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating permitted for limitation of flexion of the leg.,The criteria for a higher disability rating are not met for the period after January 27, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right shoulder and knee conditions, depressive disorder, and lumbosacral strain, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to December 31, 2015. The Board denied the temporary total evaluation for the right shoulder disability and granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot metatarsalgia with arthritis, which he contends is due to his service-connected left foot metatarsalgia and bilateral ankle psoriatic arthritis. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip osteoarthritis, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service. The decision is based on a presumption of service connection due to the nature of his military activities during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain updated VA treatment records and readjudicate the claims for right hip joint replacement, right hip osteoarthritis limitation of abduction, right hip osteoarthritis limitation of flexion, and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right elbow, left elbow, right knee, left knee, and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient examination findings regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as his PTSD alone already meets the criteria for a 100% schedular disability rating. The SMC claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities meeting the requirements of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has granted increased initial ratings of 20% for the right fifth metatarsal fracture and 60% for actinic keratosis and residuals. The appeal for an increased rating for eczema (also diagnosed as psoriasis) is remanded, and the appeal for an increased initial rating greater than 10% for the right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis is also remanded.

The Veteran is eligible for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, and the appeal concerning a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his orthopedic conditions, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right shoulder osteoarthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side, which is required for a higher rating under DC 5201. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a right upper extremity nerve disability due to inadequate examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an incomplete VA examination, and a new addendum opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's right ankle condition is related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee osteoarthritis on the basis of limitation of flexion and extension due to a new VA examination being necessary.

The Veteran's left knee impairment is granted as secondary to his right knee condition, effective March 31, 2017.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's neck and left wrist disabilities, which are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The remand is due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection and a need for updated medical records.