Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, service connection for a chest disorder (including arthritis and costochondritis), and service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for various conditions, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis, S/P lumbar fusion, left ankle sprain and closed fracture of lateral malleolus, right ankle sprain, hyperhidrosis, and anal sphincter weakness with episodes of incontinence, was denied. The appeal for increased ratings is dismissed.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee meniscal tear, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis and cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need to obtain private chiropractic treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a joint disability including degenerative arthritis of the left index finger interphalangeal joint and mild osteoarthritis of the left hand, finding that there was no credible evidence showing these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease. Service connection for HSV was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorders and their relationship to service. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether his right knee disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disabilities. The Veteran's right knee strain was not found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for miliaria was granted at 30 percent effective April 26, 2018. The increased rating claim for right hip osteoarthritis (limitation of flexion) was denied. Service connection was established for left hip osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected right and left knee disabilities, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and deviated septum. Service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis was also granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limited extension and instability, is rated at 20 percent. The left knee disability, including a meniscal condition and instability, is also rated at 20 percent. Effective May 19, 2011, the Veteran receives these ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disability, finding that there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service. The appeal was also remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right elbow, right upper extremity cubital tunnel syndrome, bilateral lower extremity neuropathies, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, specifically right and left knee degenerative arthritis, were denied increased ratings. However, a separate additional 10 percent rating was granted for limitation of extension in both knees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's intermittent loose stools are related to service or an undiagnosed illness. The right knee disability remains under review with respect to potential CUE in the initial rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection have been granted. The reduction of the disability evaluation for instability of the right and left knees has been reversed, restoring the original ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip disability, finding that it is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for eczema, bilateral foot condition, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to the Veteran's active duty.,There was no documentation of any skin condition, feet issue, or neck problem in the Veteran's service records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their request.,The reduction in the rating for bilateral pes planus from 50% to 30% was improper, and the 50% rating is restored. The RO must secure treatment records prior to making a decision on this issue.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU remains pending as there were pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in obtaining her private treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for right foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis and left foot hallux valgus before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for several disability ratings and an earlier effective date has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for cervicogenic headaches and his TDIU claim are both remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of extraschedular criteria.