Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent, 40 percent, and 30 percent respectively. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board dismissed all claims for increased ratings as the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement with the May 2018 rating decisions granting service connection and individual evaluations for left ankle effusion, right ankle effusion, right foot fracture, scapholunate advance collapse of the left wrist, and degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his representation and the appeal is no longer valid.

The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is rated based on limitation of motion, with a maximum rating of 10 percent for each knee. The Veteran was granted separate 10 percent ratings for left and right knee instability.,Service connection for GERD and erectile dysfunction is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions may have caused or aggravated his left foot condition. The case is now required to obtain an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's left foot condition, considering his statements and VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left-hand degenerative arthritis and bilateral idiopathic peripheral autonomic neuropathy, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's PTSD, hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension. The Veteran is also being asked to complete forms for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of extension and instability, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded the case to further develop the record regarding a separate rating for semilunar cartilage disability.

The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder condition (arthritis), low back disability, migraine headaches, and cervical spine disability have all been granted. The appeals were decided on the merits of the evidence presented.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability was granted. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities were also granted. The claims for right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and he was granted service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The case has been remanded for additional development regarding the surgical scar.

The Veteran's right ear tympanosclerosis and left ear tympanosclerosis are both assigned noncompensable ratings, which is the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 6211.,The Veteran's back disability is rated at 10 percent based on forward flexion greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's character of discharge for the period from March 28, 1984 to April 3, 1989 is being remanded due to concerns about insanity at the time of misconduct.,The left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis claim is also being remanded as there are issues regarding causation and aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete opinion evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his left wrist was previously denied by the Board. The case is now remanded due to a lack of compliance with prior remand directives regarding range of motion testing.

The Veteran's left knee strain with osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating. The Veteran's left knee instability has been granted an increased rating to 20 percent.

The Board has determined that new evidence was received to warrant readjudicating the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for a 70 percent rating, warranting an increased rating.,Service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) and degenerative arthritis is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.,The Veteran's current employment status does not affect his entitlement to service connection for DDD and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, including lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis. The evidence shows that the Veteran had an in-service injury to his lower back, which led to chronic symptoms continuing since discharge from active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed degenerative arthritis of the spine, to include chronic lower back pain and degenerative arthritis with facet arthropathy, is not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.