Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is not rated higher than 10% based on limitation of flexion, and the left knee strain is not rated higher than 10%. The hypertension remains at a noncompensable rating.,The Board has remanded the case for further review due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection, as it is presumed to be related to military noise exposure during service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were present or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's back disability is denied as not related to service. The rating for gout, degenerative arthritis, and calcaneal spur of the left foot remains at 30 percent. Sleep apnea is granted with a 50 percent rating prior to June 22, 2020, but denied for higher ratings. Service connection for chronic sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the left hip due to a lack of adequate medical opinions and because of duty to assist errors. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee condition is etiologically related to service and grants entitlement to service connection for a right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus, left hip osteoarthritis, and right hip osteoarthritis. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began in service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues, including right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee, and left knee are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of fracture, middle third, left clavicle is granted. The claim for folliculitis remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. Other claims are either granted or remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and right eye disabilities due to insufficient examination results, lack of updated VA treatment records, and potential need for additional testing. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability. The TDIU issue is also remanded due to its connection to other remanded issues.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for sleep apnea, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided in March and August 2023 are inadequate to address all of the issues raised by the Veteran's representative. The Board is therefore remanding the case for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral knee, left shoulder, right ankle, and right ankle scar disabilities have been granted service connection.,Residuals from a head injury (including traumatic brain injury and headaches) and bilateral detached retinas are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 50 percent since July 21, 2015. The issue of a TDIU prior to September 1, 2016, is now moot due to the temporary 100 percent rating for his right knee replacement.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from November 23, 2010 to February 25, 2011. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and for increased ratings for his left and right ankle degenerative arthritis. The case is being remanded to provide additional examinations.