Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for residuals of right foot strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee condition due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and evaluation for right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to untimely filing of a VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to procedural defects.,These issues include claims for various conditions such as arthritis, anxiety and depression, and tumors.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for IVDS with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating based on forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, unfavorable ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board has dismissed all pending claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeals for increased disability ratings in multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including left knee replacement, right foot drop, and bilateral knee disabilities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical limitations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (lumbar spine disability) have been granted service connection. The Veteran's PTSD has also been granted service connection, but the hypertension secondary to PTSD and diabetes mellitus remain pending issues.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and a parameniscal cyst. The new evidence submitted since the January 2019 rating decision supports the relationship between the appellant's current right knee disabilities and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, finding that his service-connected right knee arthritis contributed to the development of this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to procedural issues and lack of merit in his arguments.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and its relationship to service or a service-connected condition. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied prior to May 24, 2019. The appeal period from May 24, 2019, results in a remanded case as the current 10 percent evaluation does not reflect moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is also remanded due to procedural errors and the need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, left and right ankle tendonitis, and lumbar degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's heart disability, respiratory disability, diabetes mellitus, and various peripheral neuropathies and radiculopathies are not service-connected. The cervical spine disability is also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status or need for aid and attendance, nor does he qualify for specially adapted housing.

The Board has granted a 20 percent initial rating for gout with bilateral hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, effective from April 28, 2017.

The Veteran's heart disorder and hypertension are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. The right shoulder strain and left shoulder osteoarthritis are remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the record existing prior to the May 2019 rating decision. Additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, obesity, or another factor.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her back disabilities is remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the need for additional medical evidence.