Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left and right first metatarsal phalangeal joints is being remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus. The rating for his bilateral pes planus with surgical scar and residual scars is also being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right knee and left elbow conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral hearing loss, hemorrhoids, atrophy of the testicles, or left inguinal nerve injury and residual scar.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee osteoarthritis is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left heel fasciitis is denied.

The Veteran withdrew all her claims, including those for service connection and increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as the claim for a right shoulder disability, are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The VA will obtain missing service treatment records and personnel records, schedule new examinations, and attempt to obtain any outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back disability and mild neurocognitive disorder have been remanded due to the need for further development.,His TDIU claim has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, or at the housebound rate is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding his functional impairment from service-connected disabilities without considering non-service-connected impairments.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection as they are related to medication for a service-connected condition. The bilateral hip osteoarthritis/bursitis is not found to be secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, left hip and knee disabilities, right hip disability, left ankle disability, bilateral arm disability, right chest condition, right elbow condition, and right flank condition. The back and right knee disability ratings are also being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective November 24, 2015. The Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted and has remanded the issue for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee scars as secondary to the service-connected knee disorders. The decision is based on the aggravation of pre-existing conditions during active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all listed issues, including the rating for migraine headaches and other conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine osteoarthritis rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective June 1, 2015. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the 20% rating.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for left shoulder disability (osteoarthritis and capsulitis) is denied, as the evidence does not show limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. The compensable evaluation for laceration scar left shoulder is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a new examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any left or right knee disorders, as well as whether service-connected bilateral pes planus caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis, arthritis of the cervical spine, and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and PTSD, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that resulted in these conditions.