Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records, determine if hypertension is related to active service or aggravated by PTSD and/or sleep apnea, and provide an opinion on whether it was caused by these conditions.

The VA determined that the Veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran's left and right knees with chondromalacia are each rated at 10%.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee condition, including his ability to walk on it and the presence of flare-ups. The Veteran needs to provide updated medical records, and a new examination is required.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evidentiary development, specifically regarding right knee motion loss in terms of degrees during periods of repetitive use or flare-ups from prior examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, but denied service connection for a cervical spine condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right foot osteomyelitis and whether VA negligence occurred.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA regulations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, rated at 40 percent since November 2007, has been granted an increased rating to 40 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and right shoulder osteoarthritis as the evidence does not support a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, right and left ankle sprain, plantar fascia fibromatosis of the feet, and groin muscle pain of the right leg. The decision is based on credible evidence that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's hammer toes are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis.,Service connection for sacrum disability, including coccyx pain and coccygeus-sacral muscle spasm, is granted. The Veteran also received a 40% rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine after July 6, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination and potential lack of proper notification.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right knee, PTSD and alcohol abuse, episodic, GERD, cervical spine spondylosis, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate development. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is attributable to active duty or a line-of-duty injury during ACDUTRA. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher evaluation for his back symptomatology and TDIU. The RO must obtain relevant federal records, request SSA disability benefits records, and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right and left ankle musculoligamentous strain, right and left knee osteoarthritis, right and left hip disabilities, and bilateral flat foot. The decisions are based on direct service connection as there is no indication of a presumption or secondary condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right knee degenerative arthritis was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for shortening of the right leg secondary to his service-connected right knee disability was also denied, as there is no compensable rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, hypertension and tinnitus are all granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current disability and service or any other relevant factor.