Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus, bilateral knee arthritis, and bilateral hip arthritis.,An initial compensable rating for limitation of motion of the right index finger was denied. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right thumb injury was denied. A separate 10 percent rating, but no higher, for residuals of inguinal hernia was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering lay statements regarding the Veteran's back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis prior to August 28, 2020 and for a separate compensable rating for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy prior to that date. The issues are related to the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot disorder and a left hip disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is no credible evidence showing that the Veteran's current left foot or left hip disorders began during or are otherwise related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically left and right knee osteoarthritis with painful limitation of flexion and extension, as well as moderate instability, are granted at a 20% rating effective January 17, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, cervical radiculitis of the left and right upper extremities, and headaches. These conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's in-service injury.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand requests and has therefore remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and adjudicating the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot degenerative arthritis and plantar fasciitis, finding it at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service. Service connection was denied for heel spurs, osteophytes, and Reiter's syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, chronic headache, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is being reviewed again for a rating determination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate development following a previous Board remand. The issues of rating his RLE neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, bilateral shoulder scars, and neck disability are all being reconsidered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to July 13, 2016, finding that his conditions did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's reports of back pain since service and subsequent medical records supporting a continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, bilateral degenerative arthritis of the first metatarsal phalangeal joints, and pes planus have been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee conditions due to incomplete compliance with prior remand instructions.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has denied a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than the current assigned rating, while other issues like radiculopathy of the lower extremities and left clavicle disability received initial or partial grants of benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee osteoarthritis and TKA was granted. He is now rated at 60 percent for the residuals of his TKA as of March 1, 2021.