Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing a medical opinion on the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left foot/ankle disability and right shoulder disability were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a nexus between these disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to increased evaluations for right knee instability. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of moderate or severe instability, warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, specifically A/C joint separation and osteoarthritis, has been manifested by limitation of arm motion above shoulder level. The Board found that the current rating of 20 percent is appropriate given the Veteran's symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for an in-person hearing at the RO. The Veteran's appeal is still pending and will be reconsidered after the hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability did not manifest within one year of his separation from service and is not otherwise related to a disease or injury in service. The lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for an evaluation higher than 40 percent, as symptoms do not include ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome. However, there are mild incomplete paralysis of the lower extremities associated with the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Legg Perthes disease was aggravated during active service, and therefore grants service connection for a right hip disability. The low back disability is secondary to the now-service-connected right hip disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's lower back, left elbow, and tinnitus disabilities have been granted service connection. The initial ratings for these conditions are each set at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right hip and left hip, status post total hip replacement, are related to her military service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the left knee, is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral great toes disability has been rated at 20 percent since July 1, 2008. For the period beginning on September 19, 2016, a higher rating of 60 percent is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis and internal derangement. The claim for a separate rating for left knee instability prior to January 4, 2016 was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected back disability does not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings from November 16, 2009 to November 29, 2013, and from December 12, 2015, forward.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy is not service-connected as it did not manifest in service and there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service. The other diagnosed conditions are also considered unrelated to service.,For the period prior to July 11, 2012, the Veteran's tension headaches were rated at 10 percent based on their frequency and severity.