Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, is etiologically related to active duty service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for arthralgia as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's multi-level DDD scoliosis with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,For paralysis of the left and right lower extremities associated with multi-level DDD scoliosis with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, the Veteran's ratings remain at 10 percent.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that his symptoms most closely approximated degenerative arthritis with limitation of motion.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is granted service connection and rated at 30 percent. The left ankle fracture status post fusion prior to July 11, 2014, is also granted service connection and rated at 30 percent. Since July 11, 2014, the Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's arthritis is found to be related to his in-service injury, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis and left knee arthralgia and patellofemoral chondromalacia are granted service connection. The claim for reopening of the left knee condition is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues related to right wrist, left wrist, psychiatric disability including PTSD, SI joint and L5 osteoarthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, hypertension (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), erectile dysfunction, chronic headache disorder, left and right lower extremity disorders, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remands.

The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's right hip, GERD, weakness and fatigue, dizziness and lightheadedness, and sleep pattern change and night sweats are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 25, 2013 and increased to 20 percent since then.,The Veteran's left knee condition has been rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period. The Board granted a higher rating of 20 percent for his right foot osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and service connection for a right leg/knee condition due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD and DA are granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DA.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted.

The Board has determined that an additional medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's immediate cause of death was hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease. The Board found that the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, and there were no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death.