Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis with ganglion cyst, left ankle was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left leg nerve disorders, as well as his skin cancer and respiratory disorder (asthma), are related to service. However, due to inadequate medical opinions regarding continuity of symptoms since service, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shin splints, right shin splints, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral pes planus due to a failure to ensure an adequate examination was rendered.

Service connection is granted for a musculoskeletal foot disability other than pes planus, including metatarsalgia with metatarsal phalangeal arthritis, hallux valgus, calcaneal spurs, and multiple metatarsus adductus.,Service connection is denied for pes planus. Secondary service connection for neuropathic pain of the bilateral feet is granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and completing VA Form 21-4142.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder, low back, and left foot conditions have been granted.,However, the Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are pending and need further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for sleep apnea are remanded. The SMC claim is also remanded due to the Veteran's reported loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional evidence to assess the severity of the appellant's left elbow disabilities, including range of motion measurements and whether pain on movement results in loss of range of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain relevant VA treatment records and to provide the Veteran with a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee degenerative arthritis, meniscal tear is being remanded due to the lack of a recent VA examination. The examiner will assess the current severity and provide information on whether a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's back condition, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are granted on a direct basis.,The Veteran's left hip condition is also granted on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that updated medical records and new VA examinations are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy/neuropathy of the left lower extremity, right lower extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome.

Service connection for PTSD and right ear hearing loss is granted.,Degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee meniscal tear, right ankle lateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral ligament sprain, and left ear hearing loss are all remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis and right foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service complaints of pain.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions due to her withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected osteoarthritis of the right hip is remanded due to insufficient evidence from a previous examination. The Veteran may experience flare-ups and additional functional loss.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which is secondary to his service-connected pes planus, has been granted as service connection. The claims for service connection of the left shoulder condition, ulnar condition, wrist condition, and skin condition have been remanded.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that none of the conditions met the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria. The effective dates for service connection were also not granted as requested by the Veteran.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are denied, with separate ratings granted for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity associated with his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for Canadian Crutches in 2020 is being remanded due to insufficient explanation of the denial and conflicting evidence regarding use for a service-connected disability.