Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and DJD are granted service connection based on the chronicity of symptoms since service. The left hip arthralgia and trochanteric bursitis are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS was denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 16, 2018 and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date onwards.,The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee was denied a higher than 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's left ankle strain was denied a higher than 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right hip are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and left hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle, right hip, and left knee disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. As a result, these conditions have been granted as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. Her eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis and lumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% effective June 26, 2016. His right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20%. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability is denied as there is no nexus between the current condition and his active military service.,Service connection for heart arrhythmia is denied due to lack of functional impairment of earning capacity.,Diabetes mellitus type II is not granted as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability, only hyperglycemia and prediabetes.,Cerebral and cerebrallar atrophy is not granted as the Veteran's current condition does not have a nexus to his active military service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and cervical spine disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the benefit of the doubt.

The Veteran's appeal was timely filed, and the Board found that his claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted.

The Board has denied service connection for cold injuries and depression. The claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, generalized primary osteoarthritis, knee replacement resulting from bone cancer, hypertension, prostate cancer, diabetes, and migraine headaches are remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is likely related to his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee as there was insufficient evidence to show that it had its onset in service, manifested within one year of separation, or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine appropriate disability ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an orthopedic examination and addressing issues related to severance of service connection and reduction of rating.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by her service-connected back brace, and the Board has granted a clothing allowance for this issue.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, shoulder, back, and ankle disabilities have been granted. However, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his thoracolumbar sine sprain with levoscoliosis, degenerative changes and spondylosis was dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The appeals for increased ratings of left knee strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and service-connected hypertension are remanded.