Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected spondylolysis bilateral L-5 with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, muscle and joint pain (back, neck, left shoulder), fatigue, and skin symptoms are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Specifically, a VA examiner is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted a 20 percent disability rating from January 30, 2018 to April 4, 2022. The issue of entitlement to increased ratings for headaches and TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to April 9, 2018 and dismissed from that date onwards due to his combined disability rating of 100 percent. The SMC based on housebound status is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's hip disabilities are being remanded for additional development due to inadequate examination and addendum reports. The claims will be evaluated again with new evidence.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the right ankle disability from January 5, 2012 to December 9, 2019, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of swelling and severe painful limitation of motion, including during weight-bearing, approximated marked limitation of motion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral trigger fingers and musculoskeletal disabilities due to chemotherapy involving Docetaxel, finding that there is no evidence showing VA care caused his additional disability or death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disability does not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to March 13, 2018 rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected compression fracture of the thoracic spine at T12 with degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded due to new evidence showing worsening symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by limited forward flexion and no favorable ankylosis, is rated at 40 percent for the period prior to June 23, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot hammer toes, hallux valgus, and osteoarthritis is remanded due to inadequate opinion in the July 2020 VA examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis was diagnosed during service and is considered to be due to the injury sustained in service, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy were remanded for further evaluation. Service connection was also remanded for GERD, lumbar spine disability, sciatica, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his right foot residual fracture of the proximal phalanx (2nd, 3rd, and 4th toes) is rated at 30 percent. The higher ratings are granted.