Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his knee disabilities, as well as GERD. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to determine if any of her conditions are associated with active duty or inactive duty training.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete consideration of obesity as an intermediate step in the causal chain for service connection. The Veteran's left knee disability is associated with her obesity, which may be caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted due to continuity of symptoms since service. The claims for OSA and BPPV are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, right hip strain, left hip strain, right knee strain, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's service records show a high probability of noise exposure in an infantry battalion.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with dermatitis is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's right index finger, comminuted fracture with degenerative arthritis remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine, as well as his heart condition related to toxic exposure risk activity (TERA), have been granted. The heart claim is remanded due to a need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis was denied. New evidence has been received, but it does not change the outcome.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis and bilateral conjunctivitis were remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including back disorder, right and left lower extremity neurological disorders, right knee status post ACL tear repair disorder, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and left shoulder degenerative arthritis. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no persuasive weight of the evidence showing current disabilities or a relationship between any claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).,The appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied. The Board found the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection.,For her back disability, the Veteran is seeking a higher rating but the evidence does not support an increase beyond 40 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ring finger injury and remanded the issue of service connection for a minimal degenerative joint disease (neck disability). The Veteran's current neck disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the severity of his lumbar spine disability, specifically addressing functional impairment during flare-ups and whether such approximates or constitutes ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and initial ratings for bilateral pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral degenerative arthritis, and right foot metatarsalgia are being remanded due to the grant of service connection for left foot bunionectomy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right foot, left foot, and right distal fibular fracture residuals with right shin and lower leg pain disabilities. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service or due to other service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral flat feet (pes planus), finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, depression and anxiety, and a bilateral ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.