Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service injury and have continued since then.

The Veteran's PTSD and right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 50 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Board has denied increased ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's preexisting pes planus disability was aggravated by service, and the Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, to include plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, and degenerative arthritis of the feet.

The Veteran's polyosteoarthritis to include bilateral shoulders, sternum, sternoclavicular joints, lower costochondral junction, left hip, bilateral knees and bilateral feet was granted service connection.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back and right knee conditions. The Veteran's claims for headaches and left foot skin condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis. The issues of service connection for left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and left hip disorder are remanded due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion using the but-for causation standard.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,A rating of 20 percent for left knee shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) with knee strain and knee joint osteoarthritis is granted from March 31, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ED, left hip arthritis, and right hip disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's ED is not compensable as there is no evidence of a penis deformity. Service connection for left hip and right hip disabilities are also remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and benefits related to his service-connected knee conditions, PTSD, housebound status, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's back disability is granted as secondary to service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 20 percent rating for instability is granted. The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for TBI and increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU due to outstanding treatment records and additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and left upper extremity (LUE) cervical radiculopathy on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and have continued since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder condition is related to her service. The Veteran needs a new examination to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions have been dismissed.,A claim to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability has been granted, and the Veteran is now entitled to service connection for adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and alcohol abuse disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip status post replacement, finding that it was caused by his service-connected left foot and ankle degenerative arthritis with loss of use of the left lower extremity below the knee. The decision is based on a private medical opinion from Dr. C.P., who concluded that the Veteran's altered gait due to his left foot and ankle condition accelerated his right hip arthritis, necessitating the need for a total hip replacement.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each, effective April 18, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural defects. The RO must obtain updated VA medical records, issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case, and adjudicate the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's left elbow condition is not service-connected as it is attributed to his service-connected fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's right knee condition is not service-connected and the Board found no separate diagnosis for this issue.

The Board has denied a higher initial rating for Achilles tendonitis and degenerative arthritis of the right heel, finding that the disability does not result in marked limitation of motion.