Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his left knee disability and right knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of the interrelated issues.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, as well as his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, right knee scars, and status post fractured sternum.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied by the Board, as the evidence did not show forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities, including lower back strain, bilateral knee and ankle disorders, are not related to service or any injury sustained therein.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is being remanded due to the need to secure additional VA treatment records and conduct further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stiffness of the hips and knees, a low back disability, increased evaluations for trench foot disabilities, and an increased evaluation for chronic cough. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's right knee is currently rated at 10 percent for post-operative ACL repair and arthritis, but the appeal was denied for a higher rating. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for symptomatic residuals of meniscectomy.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for his right knee disability and TDIU were dismissed as withdrawn prior to his death, and the widow is not eligible for substitution.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether his current conditions are related to his military service and considering the combat presumption.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The reduction in disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent was upheld, but the Veteran withdrew his claims for PTSD and TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a bilateral knee injury during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1977, and thus could not establish service connection for a current bilateral knee disorder or degenerative arthritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left elbow disability, gastrointestinal disorder, and sleep apnea are not service-connected. The left elbow disability is not related to service or aggravated by a service-connected right forearm disability. The gastrointestinal disorder was pre-existing but did not worsen during service. Sleep apnea may be secondary to a service-connected deviated septum.

The Veteran's right foot disability, specifically the great toe osteoarthritis, has not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to October 20, 2016. Since then, she is rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5284.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability and right wrist disability are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's SNPA is not proximately caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately caused by her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 7, 2014, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating and eligibility for Dependents' Education Assistance benefits was granted. The appeal is denied as there was no valid notice of disagreement filed in connection with the August 2011 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to the Veteran's left knee and ankle disabilities, including a need for an updated VA examination.