Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her left ankle and knee disabilities, as well as service connection for DM-II and bilateral hip osteoarthritis, were denied. The effective date of the increased ratings is set to January 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder tendonitis, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss disability, and chronic bronchitis have been granted. However, the Veteran did not appeal the effective dates assigned.

The Board dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings as they were not properly appealed and the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance due to the use of a right knee brace in 2015 is being remanded as there are insufficient details about the type and extent of wear on his clothing.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and granted an initial rating of 10% for hypertension, but the decision did not specify when the effective date would be.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine was granted a 20% rating effective February 28, 2018. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted a 20% rating effective November 2, 2017. However, his hearing loss and TDIU claims were not resolved.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew them prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected ankle disability is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes cavus with osteoarthritis is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and imaging studies.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee is granted from July 23, 2009, to July 5, 2012.,The Veteran’s TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient consideration of her service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of right knee degenerative arthritis, arthralgia, and strain are at least as likely as not incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for thoracic spine degenerative arthritis, left knee tendinitis, and right knee Osgood Schlatter's disease due to deficiencies in VA examinations and outstanding records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, new VA examinations are required for her cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and outstanding private treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that her conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disease during or within one year after service and that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for full-body osteoarthritis, benign prostatic hypertrophy, skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), bilateral upper extremity clinical peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity clinical peripheral neuropathy have all been denied. The Board found no evidence linking any of these conditions to service.,There is no diagnosis of full-body osteoarthritis or active skin cancer disability at this time. No in-service incident, illness, or injury was linked to the Veteran's present disabilities.

The Veteran's right foot callosities, degenerative arthritis, metatarsalgia, and plantar fasciitis are granted as service-connected. The initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted at 10 percent from September 16, 2014. The initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted at 10 percent from September 16, 2014. The initial rating for lumbosacral strain with spondylosis is granted at 40 percent from September 16, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee injury with osteoarthritis does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability due to lack of evidence showing aggravation during active duty.,Service connection was also not granted for ichthyosis.