Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, clarifying the use of a goniometer in a previous examination, and providing another VA examination to assess his cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, as well as his bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (arthritis), are related to service. The appeals for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Board previously denied the claim, and the case was remanded multiple times due to incomplete development. The most recent remand required an examination considering all in-service knee injuries, including those documented in the July 1974 service treatment record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome was granted, effective February 21, 2013. The initial evaluation is now 40 percent.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent since February 21, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 21, 2013 was granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right lower extremity disabilities, including a right knee disability and osteoarthritis in his hip, are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, identify any relevant private treatment records, and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine. The Veteran will need to undergo an orthopedic examination and provide updated medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand disability did not have its onset in service and was not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for residuals of a right hand injury is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation records. The claims for higher ratings for radiculopathy are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease associated with osteoarthritis L4-5 and L5-S1.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot condition, including flat feet, osteoarthritis, bunions, and hallux valgus, is related to service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to an in-service injury. The most probative medical opinion found that the current disabilities are more likely due to the Veteran's age and obesity.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling under DC 5020 by analogy to degenerative arthritis. The VA examinations and treatment records show that the Veteran has painful motion and noncompensable limitation of motion in both knees, with no additional functional impairment due to flare-ups or other factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confine him substantially to his dwelling and immediate premises.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful activity doing sedentary work consistent with his educational background, work experience, and training.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board hearing due to her inability to travel for the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee, left hip, and left heel disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after these examinations are conducted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as there are no longer any issues to be decided.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis requires additional development due to lack of recent examination and incomplete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities and hearing loss, and readjudicating the claims.