Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a headache disorder during the pendency of his claim. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are not service-connected, as they are not shown to be directly related to his military service or a service-connected condition. The VA opinions provided do not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee fracture with degenerative joint disease, and chronic left quadriceps muscle strain were all granted initial compensable evaluations.,Subsequent to these grants, the Veteran was awarded increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of the right foot, which he claims is related to his service-connected right knee condition. The Board has ordered additional development as requested by the Veteran.

The Board has vacated its May 2015 decision and remand due to the Veteran's death, and dismissed the appeal as moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete development of the record, including a need for an addendum opinion from the December 2014 VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine have been granted, but she does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's left thumb arthritis and scars from cesarean section were granted increased ratings, but her hypothyroidism was denied.

The Board denied payment or reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred on June 23, 2013, at Orange Park Regional Medical Center due to the lack of prior VA authorization and because the treatment was not rendered in a medical emergency.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right middle and ring fingers has been granted, along with an initial compensable rating for her residual scars. The Board found that there was a continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from June 26, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of marked limited motion of the ankle.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hip condition and there is no evidence of record linking his cervical spine condition to service-connected conditions. The claim for service connection for a bilateral hip condition as secondary to service-connected conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist and left knee disorders have been manifested by complaints of pain throughout the pendency of this case. However, even when taking into account his complaints of pain, the record does not reflect any period(s) where his right wrist was manifested by ankylosis or impairment analogous thereto, nor any period(s) where his left knee had flexion limited to 30 degrees or less or extension limited to 15 degrees or more. Therefore, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for another VA examination regarding the Veteran's right ankle disorder. The issue is still pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a medical examination. The issues of service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as TDIU prior to April 16, 2013, are pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis, cervical radiculopathy, heart condition (presumably ischemic heart disease), eczema, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA medical opinions provided less than 50% probability for a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service.