Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with effusion is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from February 13, 2017. The Board has determined that separate evaluations for limitation of extension and flexion are warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The left knee degenerative joint disease is pending as remanded.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected right tibia and fibula disability, finding that his condition involved slight to moderate knee and ankle disability at most.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder did not pre-exist his active duty service and was not related to it. The VA examiner concluded that the current condition is more likely due to natural progression of the condition over time, rather than military service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of the evidence.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to November 4, 2015 and at 40 percent thereafter. The hearing loss rating remains noncompensable (0%). The allergic rhinitis is also noncompensable.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and allergic rhinitis was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical intervertebral disc syndrome and left upper extremity radiculopathy have not met the criteria for higher initial ratings under either the General Rating Formula or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder and granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic sciatica during or after service, and the current disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of any benefits.

The Veteran's back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 8, 2017. Effective that date, he is granted a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatica and left lower extremity sciatica as neurological manifestations of lumbar spondylosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and hip disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity gout, but denied service connection for hypertension and left arm disability (claimed as osteoarthritis).,Service connection was established for right lower extremity gout based on a diagnosis of gout in the left lower extremity. The Veteran's gout in the right lower extremity is considered part of this underlying systemic disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability of the right hand.,There is a current diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the left fifth metacarpal phalangeal joint, but it did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's right knee condition is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his left knee injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder and asthma disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to her withdrawal of appeals for reopening service connection claims and denied her increased evaluations for right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, diagnosed as hallux rigidus and osteoarthritis, is not related to service or a service-connected disorder. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected disorders.