Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left ankle arthritis is granted on an aggravation basis, and his left knee osteoarthritis is granted. The right knee meniscal tear is granted with a 30% disability rating, subject to flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 29, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current arthritis is related to her military service and resolving reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 20 percent for the medial meniscus tear is granted.,An initial compensable rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examination reports and potential worsening of symptoms. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected neck disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the issues of entitlement to higher ratings on an extraschedular basis for right and left foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, as well as right and left foot scarring status post bunionectomy. This dismissal is due to the Veteran's grant of a total disability rating based on service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for the entire appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and initial ratings for lumbosacral strain and left knee strain with chondrocalcinosis and degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee conditions was granted, with a final rating of 30 percent for the entire period on appeal. The decision includes separate ratings for limitation of flexion (10%), limitation of extension (10%), and instability (10%).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot condition, prostate cancer, and reflux esophagitis have been remanded.

The Veteran's left knee instability, lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of at least 10 percent each since June 20, 2007.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board has dismissed all issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional information regarding his employment status and income during the relevant time period.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to address verification issues and the need for updated medical records. The Veteran's current address must be obtained, along with information on his medical providers who have treated him since April 2015.

Service connection is granted for IBS, GERD, migraine headaches (as secondary to IBS), right knee osteoarthritis (secondary to lumbar spine disability), and CFS (secondary to lumbar spine disability).,Service connection is denied for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and back impairments have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for these conditions as secondary to plantar fasciitis.,Service connection has also been granted for recurrent abdominal pain.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of service connection for right shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tendonitis, scars associated with the condition, and Crohn's disease are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability is remanded due to a need for new examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected scars is remanded due to the need for a retrospective opinion and clarification regarding the May 2017 VA examiner's report.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for Crohn's disease is remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. Additional private treatment records are needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability due to additional development and addendum opinions.