Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his bilateral bunionectomies and associated osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated treatment records.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right hand degenerative arthritis. The Board has found that his claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a previous rating decision is intertwined with this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee subluxation and osteoarthritis due to outdated VA examination records. The Veteran is asked to provide medical records from recent treatment, and a new VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension and sinusitis have been granted service connection. The initial ratings for PTSD, post-concussive migraines, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spondylosis are remanded.,A new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions and his lumbar spondylosis. The Veteran may also need a VR&E evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for braces used for his service-connected left knee, right knee, and back disabilities in calendar year 2015 due to lack of documentation showing use of these braces during that period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for her back and knee disabilities, as well as her sleep condition due to incomplete examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for a scar on his left calf was dismissed.,His claim for an increased rating for the left calf disability, which includes left foot drop, was denied. The maximum schedular rating of 30 percent has been assigned and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right fifth finger traumatic arthritis, finding that these conditions were first shown during the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives, specifically failing to schedule and conduct a VA examination as required.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obtaining updated treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine, knee, and hip conditions.

The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back disability), and granted service connection for celiac disease. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of atrial fibrillation or residuals thereof. There is no medical opinion linking his low back disability to service. Service connection was granted for celiac disease based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU related to his service-connected left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination, as well as the need to update the record with any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his knee and foot disabilities. The case will be reviewed with a new VA examiner.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left knee, and right knee.,Service connection is denied for hypertension and thyroid disorder.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left ankle scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on its size or pain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral spondylolysis of the lumbar spine has been reopened and is granted. However, his claims for hypertension, GERD, depression, osteoarthritis of the left hip, and osteoarthritis of the right hip remain denied.,Service connection was not established for any of the Veteran's conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, hip, and foot conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right wrist and tinnitus service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his conditions are related to military service. The claims will be returned for further development.