Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee arthritis and low back pain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.,Service connection was denied for glaucoma as there is no evidence linking it to active service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion are inadequate for both left hip osteoarthritis and right hip arthritis. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left hip osteoarthritis and service connection for his claimed right hip arthritis, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that his symptoms are related to an in-service accident and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for hypertension, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right ankle degenerative arthritis were denied. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals regarding the service connection for various radiculopathy conditions and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's left ankle strain is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left foot is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for costochondritis is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a 100% rating.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for back disability prior to December 5, 2019 and thereafter is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not show impairment warranting a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran's claims for initial ratings of 20% for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or other factors warranting such a rating.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not show entitlement to an earlier effective date under any applicable law and regulations.

Service connection is granted for deviated septum, back disability (lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis), left elbow lateral epicondylitis, left wrist tendonitis, psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder), non-allergic rhinitis, enlarged tonsils, anemia, and disability manifested by widespread muscle and joint pain.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee tendinitis with degenerative arthritis, and other conditions has been withdrawn. The VA is remanding the claims for service connection for various conditions due to toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).,The VA is remanding the claims for service connection for a back condition, headaches, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, bilateral leg condition, functional dysphagia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot pes planus, plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis, and calcaneal spur (left foot disability), left knee strain and patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee disability), and right ankle degenerative joint disease (right ankle disability) on a direct basis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was granted with an effective date of September 13, 2019. The decision is based on the submission of a proper VA Form 21-526EZ within one year of the initial denial in July 1986.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of March 1, 2020, but no earlier, for the 40 percent increased evaluation of lumbar degenerative arthritis is granted. The earliest effective date assignable is the date the Veteran submitted his intent to file form on March 1, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining necessary opinions and evidence, including on the issue of aggravation by service-connected conditions and direct incurrence during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the failure to schedule VA examinations in Panama or Florida, where he was residing at the time. The AOJ must reschedule these exams and address the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted as secondary to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy. The claims for bilateral pes planus, left foot tenosynovitis, right foot tenosynovitis, left foot osteoarthritis and degenerative changes, and right foot osteoarthritis and degenerative changes are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to incomplete STRs and inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PFB, left shoulder acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, and right ankle sprain are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering all evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for left lower extremity (LLE) of the posterior tibial nerve, to include left foot strain, is remanded due to inadequate examination and duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis (a low back disability) as there is no evidence showing that his current disabilities were incurred or aggravated by service.