Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's right foot disability and low back strain prior to June 14, 2017 were denied service connection. A rating of 20 percent for the low back strain was granted from June 14, 2017 onwards.

The Veteran's bilateral hammertoes of the second to fifth toes were denied an initial compensable rating.,His bilateral pes planus was denied a higher than 50 percent rating.,Hallux valgus of the right foot with osteoarthritis of the right great toe was denied a higher than 10 percent rating.,Hallux valgus of the left foot was denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for knee disabilities due to incomplete examination and lack of proper medical records. The Veteran's knee conditions are being reviewed again to ensure a full evaluation.

The Veteran's knee brace, back brace, and shoe inserts are not found to qualify for an annual clothing allowance as they do not tend to wear or tear his clothing.

The Veteran's claim for a restoration of a 50 percent rating for lumbosacral spine osteoarthritis is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity condition with pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling, as well as for bilateral lower extremity condition with pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating assignments for various conditions, including gout, a skin condition, left foot osteoarthritis, scars from surgery, hallux valgus, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea. The appeals were either not about service connection or did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was granted. The issue of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis and tendonitis of the left knee is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but the Board has remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his shoulder condition and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The issues of service connection for these conditions are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it is more likely than not incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent prior to April 24, 2018 and 20 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral shin splints, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, and histoplasmosis. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's request for a higher evaluation for limitation of flexion of the left hip has been granted, with a final rating assigned at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine, chronic strain and arthritis of the right knee, and chronic strain and arthritis of the left knee. The conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings in multiple cases of Reiter’s syndrome with various body parts. As a result, the Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis with an effective date of July 29, 2008.,Service connection for a residual scar on the right hip, secondary to a total right hip replacement, was also granted with an effective date of August 4, 2009.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of injury to right great and second toes, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence showing an earlier effective date.