Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board restored a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis status post meniscectomy, effective January 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of bilateral resection of breast tissue, anterior trunk resection, and degenerative arthritis of the right little finger were denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining necessary evidence.,Additional medical records, including STRs and treatment records from Tampa General Hospital and Texas General Hospital, need to be obtained.

The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his right fifth finger fracture is denied. The cases of left ankle Achilles tendonitis, right ankle Achilles tendonitis, and left knee osteoarthritis are remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for CFS has been dismissed. The Board found that the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.,PTSD is now rated at 70 percent, effective from October 26, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to concerns about the competency of the VA examiner and the need for a proper presumption of soundness analysis. The Veteran was found not to have had a pre-existing knee disability at entry into service, but he does have current diagnoses related to his knees.

The Veteran's headache disorder was granted service connection as it manifested during service and is considered to have been incurred in service. The cervical spine disorder, however, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a link between the cervical spine disorder and service-connected left shoulder dislocation.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current disability.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is being remanded due to allegations of worsening and lack of recent audiometric testing. Further record development, including private treatment records, is needed.,The Veteran's back condition is being remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset in service.

The Veteran's right hip disability, characterized by limited flexion to 30 degrees, is granted an initial rating of 20 percent. The ratings for limitation of extension and abduction remain noncompensable.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The right calf scar is granted a compensable rating. Service connection for the right and left hip conditions, and dermatitis, remains pending due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's arthritic conditions, including left shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and left radioscaphoid arthritis. The non-arthritic cold weather residuals claim is also remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis has been dismissed. The cases for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees have been remanded, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is denied as there is no evidence it was caused or aggravated by service.,Ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis are denied as the current flexion and extension limitations do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence received after the January 2021 SOC.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected lumbar disc bulge and right knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the extent of functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and cervical spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease, with disc protrusion and stenosis are granted as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand have been addressed. The hearing loss claim is denied, the right foot disability claim has been granted with a 10% rating, and both knee issues are being remanded for further evaluation.