Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and neck disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examinations, as well as locate any missing records.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized as status-post accessory navicular bone fracture, status-post surgical repair with residual metatarsalgia, osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and plantar fasciitis, has been rated at 30 percent since June 2, 2010. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to functional loss caused by pain.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities do not warrant a higher evaluation as the evidence does not demonstrate severe limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee osteoarthritis have not been found to warrant a higher initial rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and he is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU were not met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar and thoracic spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and right ankle strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD). The appeal is dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right hip disability is not related to his service-connected left knee disability or any other service-connected condition, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's testimony of worsening symptoms and the length of time since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new examinations and clarification of the service connection theory.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical and back disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 23, 2017, for RLE radiculopathy; nor did it support a rating in excess of 20 percent from March 23, 2017, for cervical and back disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine has been manifested by frequent incapacitating flare ups that limit motion and activities of daily living. The criteria for a 40 percent rating have been met or more nearly approximated for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active duty service. The claims for higher ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and theories of causation, including service connection for various disabilities allegedly related to poisoning during service. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule appropriate VA examinations, and consider the Veteran's claims in light of his reported exposures.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is presumed to have been incurred as a result of her service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War. Service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis, is granted based on objective indications of chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle and foot disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his active duty. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for his right knee and TDIU were withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.