Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the ring and little finger of her right hand was denied as there is no evidence of amputation or ankylosis, and the maximum noncompensable rating based on limitation of motion has already been assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities have precluded him from securing and maintaining a gainful employment as of April 21, 2014. The Board has remanded the increased rating claim for right shoulder recurrent dislocation with degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left hip degenerative arthritis and denied compensable ratings for left hip limitation of flexion and abduction/rotation.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tendinitis are rated at 30 percent from October 18, 1990 to July 14, 2021.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and instability, is rated at 20 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for slight right knee instability from September 3, 2015 to September 8, 2016 is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher rating for his service-connected left foot disability and bilateral hearing loss. The claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU were also remanded.,The Veteran's left foot disability was rated as moderately severe throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with lumbar spasm and IVDS is rated at 40 percent prior to June 5, 2014, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.,The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica is rated at 10 percent. The Board has also remanded this issue for further development.,The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatica prior to June 5, 2014 and bladder impairment associated with lumbosacral degenerative arthritis are both remanded for further development.

The Veteran's low back disability, including IVDS, was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's right knee strain was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's neurological impairment of the left lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's neurological impairment of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and at 0 percent thereafter. The rating was reduced to noncompensable effective February 1, 2014.,The Veteran's neurogenic bladder disability was rated at 40 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and the reduction to noncompensable is denied.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis was rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2014, and the reduction to noncompensable is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service connected.,Service connection for left shoulder internal derangement and left ankle degenerative arthritis are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.,Service connection for right hip disability and left hip disability are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and dismissed the claims for lumbosacral strain and asthma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity idiopathic neuropathy, bilateral foot condition, and right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to total left knee arthroplasty due to insufficient opinions from the VA examiner.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further consideration, including an examination to assess functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis as secondary to his service-connected left upper back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee fusion and hip conditions, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 2, 2015.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder and bilateral shoulder disorders, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for a new examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease due to inadequate previous examinations. The Veteran is entitled to a 40 percent rating from June 2015, but the current examination report does not fully comply with prior remand directives.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his left big toe osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected right first metatarsal fracture.

The Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar osteoarthritis with scoliosis and TDIU prior to February 1, 2018 are being remanded due to procedural errors and the need for additional development.