Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right and left ankle osteoarthritis have been rated at 10 percent since April 1, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.,Higher ratings are warranted when there is marked limitation of motion of the ankle.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to July 1, 2019 is denied. Effective August 9, 2023, separate compensable ratings are granted for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine after July 1, 2019 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, degenerative arthritis of the feet, and hallux valgus as these conditions are not shown to be directly related to active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety disorder. The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a neck disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability was granted in full, and the appeal is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a retrospective medical opinion regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disorder is alleged to have aggravated his right hip osteoarthritis, which requires a new VA examination and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), back condition, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been reopened due to new evidence.,The Veteran's TBI claim is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current CVA to in-service head injuries.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis are granted with higher ratings, but his back condition claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected low back disability was dismissed because the June 2019 decision that granted a 40 percent rating, effective February 12, 2019, is not an initial decision to which the AMA applies.

The Veteran's right hip disability is granted as service-connected, and the appeal for a left knee surgical scars rating is dismissed.

The Veteran's right first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis is granted a 20 percent disability rating effective January 1, 2020.,The Veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain with piriformis syndrome and arthritis is granted an increased disability rating to 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, and compression fracture as new and relevant evidence was not received to support his claim.

The RO granted an aid and attendance allowance effective August 3, 2023. The Board finds a duty to notify error due to not informing the appellant about earlier effective dates for aid and attendance based on need.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to obtain updated VA treatment records for the Veteran's right hand disorder. The AOJ is required to obtain these records and associate them with the claims file.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetic retinopathy, bilateral foot pain with tingling and numbness, and left hand pain to include numbness and tingling have been dismissed. The claims of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for revision of the August 2001 rating decisions assigning a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral acromioclavicular joint based on CUE were denied as there was no error in the decision that would have changed the outcome.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, but he received an increased rating of 40 percent effective January 4, 2021.,He also received separate ratings of 20 percent for right and left lumbar radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve, respectively.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his active service and has been granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for back degenerative arthritis, neck disability, right knee degenerative arthritis, and headaches as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service.,Service treatment records showed isolated incidents of injury in service but no chronic disabilities related to these conditions.