Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The appeals seeking higher initial evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the left hip, right knee, and left knee are dismissed. The Veteran's claims for (non-abdominal) scars, pain residual of abdominal scar associated with scars, psoriasis, and TDIU have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of the severity of his conditions during the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The claim for bronchitis was denied as the current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. For hypertension, a 10 percent evaluation is granted from August 30, 2019 to September 1, 2020 and denied thereafter. A 10 percent evaluation is also granted for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and levoscoliosis prior to September 2, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot osteoarthritis with calcaneal spur, a back disorder, and myelopathy and neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities. The decision is based on direct service connection due to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's right knee instability was granted a rating of 30 percent effective from August 25, 2021. A separate 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee with painful limitation of flexion is also granted since July 13, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, osteoarthritis (hip), and headache disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they were not granted.,VA has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 6, 2021, and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.,From April 6, 2021 onwards, the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran was granted a separate rating of 10% for tension headaches associated with his cervical spine disability.

Effective dates of December 30, 2010 for service connection were granted for left ankle traumatic arthritis and anterior talofibular ligament tear residuals, right ankle traumatic arthritis, right knee instability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee instability. Effective date of May 7, 2012 was granted for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2018 due to use of a left knee brace. The Board found that service connection was in effect for a left knee disability during the 2018 calendar year and the Veteran's regular use of a left knee brace tended to wear out or tear his outer garments.,The Veteran is denied an annual VA clothing allowance for the year 2018 due to use of a back brace. The Board found that service connection was in effect for a back disability during the 2018 calendar year, but there was no evidence showing that the Veteran's Lumbar Sacral Orthosis (back brace) tended to wear out or tear his outer garments.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his heart disorder, hypertension, and bilateral hip conditions. The claims will be reviewed with updated evidence and examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of an addendum opinion addressing all claimed conditions, including a November 1967 plantar wart notation.

The Board has determined that separate disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected left and right femur fractures are warranted, resulting in bilateral hip disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain appropriate examinations and to assign initial disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for torn Achilles tendon of the right heel, status post tear of the fibula collateral ligaments of the right ankle (claimed as torn Achilles of the right heel), and degenerative arthritis of the right foot due to lack of evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship with service.,There is no credible evidence that the Veteran currently has any of these conditions. The Board found her reports of continuous symptoms since service were not credible, and there was no medical opinion linking her current disabilities to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected disabilities of bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral ankles, right knee, and fifth metatarsal of the left foot require additional development due to a lack of updated VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been restored to their previous ratings of 30 percent for left knee and 20 percent for right knee, effective November 1, 2014. The decision also dismissed the appeals regarding a temporary total disability rating for knee surgery and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right hip disorders. The claims are now remanded for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service or service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hip disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis. The issue of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right ankle achilles tendon rupture is remanded.