Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis status post lumbar laminectomy and intervertebral disc syndrome (lumbar spine disability), cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis, and bilateral knee chondrocalcinosis and degenerative arthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury from a land mine explosion and continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, plantar fasciitis, bilateral pes planus, and degenerative arthritis of the feet based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to inadequate examination findings and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various foot, ankle, and knee conditions as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right ankle disabilities have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically regarding his low back strain with degenerative joint disease, cervical spine condition, left clavicle fracture, and other symptoms. The issues are related to determining appropriate disability ratings based on the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability from the rating claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for headaches due to withdrawal. The issues of service connection for a right middle finger disorder, increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (back disability), right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis are REMANDED.

The Veteran's right ankle instability is granted with a separate 20 percent rating.,Entitlement to an increased rating for chronic sinusitis and right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain with osteoarthritis remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees with shin splint are being remanded due to new evidence added to their claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the current severity of his left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and back disorder. The issues include seeking a higher rating for left knee disability, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a back disorder secondary to left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to his right knee, left knee and left knee scar are being remanded due to the need for further evidence regarding the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate range of motion testing in a previous VA examination. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for upper and lower back conditions, as well as a left wrist condition, have been granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's upper and lower back conditions based on evidence showing they are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD and has remanded his secondary service connection claim for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine to include as secondary to left ankle osteoarthritis, residuals of shell fragment wound with fracture and strain left lateral malleolus.

The Veteran's appeal for an effective date prior to February 24, 2014 for a 60% rating for left wrist condition is reinstated. The claim for a higher rating for AIHA remains denied. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left shoulder conditions, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 4, 2015. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis for this period.