Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for osteoarthritis of the left little finger with boutonniere deformity is being remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening of his condition.

The Board has ordered additional medical opinions to clarify the nature of the Veteran's right hip conditions and determine if any service-connected disabilities have aggravated them. The case is being returned for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and spinal fusion as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for left wrist degenerative arthritis and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) have been granted. The claim of service connection for dermatitis, to include as secondary to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, back, neck, shoulder, and foot disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, IBS, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded to allow for further development. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine the relationship between these conditions and service, with an emphasis on whether they are related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is related to an in-service car accident and fracture. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions have not manifested with flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, or extension limited to 10 degrees or more at any point during the appeal period. As such, her initial rating requests for increased compensation are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee degenerative arthritis are granted. The claim for left hand CTS is remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding its relationship to her service-connected right hand CTS.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's hip disabilities are currently rated based on limitation of motion, and additional information is needed regarding how pain affects her range of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature of his service connection.

The Board granted service connection for right ear Eustachian tube dysfunction, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service diagnosis of Eustachian tube dysfunction.,Service connection was denied for left index finger conditions due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during active service or being otherwise related to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU since June 19, 2017 and he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 20 percent for the period from March 10, 2017 to October 18, 2019. For the period beginning October 18, 2019, a higher rating than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative arthritis, DDD, and lumbar strain, based on continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of bilateral ankles, chronic degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with bulging disc, and osteoarthritis of bilateral knees. The decision is based on evidence in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service rheumatic fever.