Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right foot conditions, trigger finger of the right hand, and a thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the withholding of VA compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $23,484.38 was proper and this appeal is denied as a matter of law.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, and degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder. Service connection is also granted for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and right ankle.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected back and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis and lateral collateral ligament sprain, as well as right ankle strain and lateral collateral ligament sprain. The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hip, knee, and leg conditions are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a nexus between any of these conditions and an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The left knee osteoarthritis was rated at 10 percent, while the right knee instability was rated at 20 percent prior to February 22, 2023, but not higher than 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran did not meet criteria for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for left elbow olecranon bursitis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right hip acetabular impingement syndrome with limitation of extension, flexion, and adduction, and left hip acetabular impingement syndrome with limitation of extension, flexion, rotation, and adduction.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's bronchial asthma is rated at 60 percent, but no higher. The Board found the evidence persuasive that his respiratory disability more closely approximated a 60 percent rating based on FEV-1 results. However, he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities as his other conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis has been rated based on limitation of motion, but the current ratings do not reflect any additional functional loss or impairment due to pain. The Board finds that remand is necessary to consider whether a higher rating can be assigned for his disability.

The Veteran's left foot plantar fasciitis and right knee tendonitis are granted service connection. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis and pes planus with midfoot osteoarthritis, is related to excessive weight bearing activity and foot problems during service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted effective October 24, 2013 due to his service-connected PTSD and related disabilities. The right knee and spine conditions are rated at 20% each.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left ankle status post avulsion fracture is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right hip limitation of flexion is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right hip limitation of extension is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right hip limitation of abduction, adduction, and rotation is currently denied as compensable.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted as service connected. The right knee disability receives a 30% rating for limitation of flexion and a 40% rating for limitation of extension. The right ankle osteoarthritis, status post fracture, receives a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis due to a lack of adequate examination in the initial decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for right and left knee strains with osteoarthritis and limitation of flexion have been denied.,The previously denied claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, has been dismissed as the issue is moot due to the award of service connection for insomnia disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.