Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The appeal for bilateral falling arches is dismissed. The Veteran's hypertension claim was denied, and the knee conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial compensable disability ratings for various elbow and knee conditions due to a lack of information regarding the frequency, severity, duration, and characteristics of flare-ups during VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee medial femoral condyle fracture and patellofemoral syndrome, left knee instability, and right knee instability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to April 1, 2024, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for his service-connected left ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection. The Board found the VA opinion inadequate and remanded for further examination regarding his back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right little finger disability is denied as the evidence does not support an increase beyond the current 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was granted, with a disability rating of 30 percent for right knee instability from April 2, 2021. The initial rating period remains unchanged at 10 percent for the previous time frame.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings have been remanded due to her failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional information regarding the severity of his left knee disability and hip disabilities, as well as to determine if service connection can be established for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder, sinusitis, degenerative arthritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine and lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted with increased ratings, but further evaluation is needed to determine appropriate periods of convalescence following his back surgery.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his right shoulder disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee conditions are being remanded due to pre-decisional errors and the need for additional medical examination.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's disability was caused by his service-connected hip and knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to lumbar degenerative disc, degenerative arthritis of the spine due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with an examination and addendum opinion.

The Board has granted effective dates of December 26, 2019 for the awards of service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The appeal is denied as there is no evidence of a claim prior to December 26, 2019 for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome cervical spine, degenerative arthritis and related issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Specifically, the Board is requesting an opinion on whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition was aggravated by his service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new medical examination and consideration of the relevant evidence.