Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for cellulitis of the right hip and remanded the issues regarding osteoarthritis of the right and left hips.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, cysts, acne, and coronary artery disease have been granted. The claim for degenerative arthritis (left knee osteoarthritis) is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran was granted service connection for various hip and shoulder conditions, as well as radiculopathy associated with lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, all effective December 1, 2014.,No earlier effective dates were granted due to the lack of supporting evidence in the claims file at the time of the initial rating decision.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted in November 2018. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities are being examined again to determine their current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and left knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and neck disorders due to a lack of medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The issue of TDIU and initial disability ratings for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 28, 2016, for the award of service connection for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, right knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss and GERD have been dismissed.,Effective January 28, 2016, an initial rating of 30 percent for GERD has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, impingement, and rotator cuff tendinopathy and right shoulder degenerative arthritis, impingement, and rotator cuff tendinopathy. The Veteran's combined disability rating during the claim period is currently 70 percent prior to January 16, 2019 and 80 percent after that date.

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

The Veteran's spine and extremity disabilities are being remanded for additional medical opinions to address the severity of his conditions, particularly during flare-ups or with repeated use.,The Veteran's skin disability is also being remanded due to unclear onset and systemic therapy status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated with a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis. The VA has granted separate ratings of 10 percent and 20 percent for limitation of extension and moderate instability, respectively.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot and right ankle disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are causally related to his active-duty service.,Service connection was denied for bilateral cataracts and lattice degeneration (eye conditions) and migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to her in-service symptoms and continuous post-service treatment. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for upper and lower back disabilities, but remanded the claims for first rib disability, right shoulder disability, and neck disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected asthma.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis and spondylosis, is granted due to its manifestation within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for scoliosis of the lumbar spine requires further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability and right ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. The increased evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded.