Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hair loss disability is not service-connected, and the Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right elbow injury and degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion of the forearm.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is not related to service and therefore denied his claim. The issues of left plantar fibromatosis, right plantar fasciitis, acquired deformity of left other specified site, contracture of left tendon sheath, osteochondral defect of left great toe MTP head, osteoarthritis of left ankle/foot, fracture of other bone of left foot, and unspecified osteochondropathy of left foot are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination in determining whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability aggravated his back condition. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, characterized as degenerative disc disease and arthritis. The decision also grants service connection for residuals of burns to the eyes but remands the issue of service connection for dry eye syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee arthritis and osteoarthritis need further medical evaluation to determine if they are related to service. The case is therefore REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his hip, knee, and leg conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if any current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation for the period from October 14, 2009 to June 26, 2012. The Board granted TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted as service connected due to aggravation. The left knee osteoarthritis issue has been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied, and his claim for service connection for sleep apnea was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with disc disease and strain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot and ankle disabilities, including as secondary to a service-connected right ankle disability, must be remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Readjudication of the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis in both hips and vertigo are warranted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in all four issues related to cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right elbow, and left knee conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but denied the claim as there is no medical evidence showing a link between his current right ankle disorder and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and left peroneal nerve neuropathy due to additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip osteoarthritis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a left ankle sprain, lumbar degenerative arthritis and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome are granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for Lyme disease is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a left calf disability is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for acne is denied.

The Board has determined that the medical expenses incurred at Macon County General Hospital on July 21, 2012 were eligible for reimbursement due to the nature of the emergency and the unavailability of a VA facility.