Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and left foot degenerative arthritis are granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC based on aid and attendance are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation since August 9, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability and an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to February 24, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for a back disability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. As the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an award of special monthly compensation, as no disability is considered 100 percent disabling, plus an additional separate disability or disabilities combining to 60 percent disabling, his TDIU claim has been dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and new information not previously considered.

The Veteran's post-pilonidal cystectomy scar is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations.,Right knee osteoarthritis has been rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and a compensable rating (20%) for limitation of extension. The Veteran also received a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development regarding her back condition and bilateral foot condition. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of her service-connected conditions, including flare-ups and functional impairment.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted as incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to procedural issues and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis is granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective July 11, 2022. The right ankle degenerative arthritis remains at a 10 percent rating and the left ankle prior to July 11, 2022 remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is not adequate for a contemporaneous rating and has therefore remanded the case to afford the Veteran a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lipomas have not resulted in at least five painful scars affecting less than 5% of the entire body or exposed areas, and thus do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's post-operative hammertoes of the right foot and left foot did not manifest to a compensable degree prior to October 7, 2013. Since then, they have manifested with pain and hammertoes affecting multiple toes, but do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's post-operative hammertoes of the right foot and left foot did not manifest to a compensable degree prior to October 7, 2013. Since then, they have manifested with pain and hammertoes affecting multiple toes, but do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected back and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The issues of increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, service connection for keloid scarring on face, and service connection for hands shaking, bilateral are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right hand disability and TDIU, finding that there was no evidence to support an in-service injury or disease leading to his current conditions. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorder and low back disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to her military service or service-connected hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's representative's request for a copy of the January 2022 examination, and because the right knee condition may have worsened since the last examination in January 2022. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is remanded.