Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a recurrent lumbar spine disorder, basic eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adaptive housing and basic eligibility for assistance in acquiring a special home adaptation grant to the RO for additional action.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various conditions, including his lumbar and cervical spine conditions, knee disorders, foot disorder, migraines, PTSD, psychiatric disorders, shoulder disorders, gastrointestinal issues, respiratory problems, chest tightness, and chronic fatigue. The appeals were not granted as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating schedules.

The Board has determined that the case should be remanded for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's scoliosis and its relationship to service, as well as whether his current back disability is aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability.

The Board finds that there is no medical evidence indicating that the Veteran's right or left knee disabilities are proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The conditions claimed, including tinea pedis with folliculitis and bilateral pes planus, were not found to warrant higher initial disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including osteoarthritis, hallux valgus, and hallux rigidus, warrants a 30 percent initial disability rating since April 1, 2009. Additionally, a separate 10 percent rating is granted for the residual scar from her bunionectomy.

The Veteran's back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy were granted initial ratings of 10 percent for the period from April 22, 2009 to December 6, 2012. Effective December 6, 2012, a higher rating of 20 percent was assigned for the back disability and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the hands, as it was not shown to be related to service and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee disorder and finds that it is related to her service-connected left knee osteoarthritis. The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis, as well as the TDIU issue, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of STRs and insufficient medical evidence in the file to make a determination. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations for his right ankle and left hand disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for ear fungus and separate ratings for instability of the right knee and degenerative arthritis, but denied higher disability ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle disorder is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis, including psoriatic and degenerative arthritis of the lower extremities, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also determined that it is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disorder.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee as secondary to his service-connected ankle disabilities. The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to clarify whether he currently has this condition and if it is caused by his ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his service personnel records and scheduling him for an audiological examination to determine the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was found to have been incurred in service and granted service connection. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Board found that the reduction in compensation from 20 percent to 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was not proper, as there was no evidence of improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development and consideration of his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and left hip disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate April 2013 VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the hips and knees are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, and breast lump. The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been granted.,PTSD was initially granted with a higher rating from July 31, 2007 to November 11, 2010.