Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including residuals of traumatic brain injury, left shoulder osteoarthritis, bilateral ankle condition, nephrolithiasis (due to herbicide exposure), bilateral knee osteoarthritis, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, BLE sciatica, hypertension, and diverticulosis. The Veteran did not have these conditions at the time of service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's right knee disability claim is being remanded due to noncompliance with previous Board directives and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, spine, right foot, and right knee disorder (arthritis and replacement), as well as left foot hallux valgus. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the right and left thumbs.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease is granted. The claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss is denied, and the claim for entitlement to a compensable rating for dermatitis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete medical opinion and a failure to consider potentially favorable evidence of record, including the Veteran's lay statements regarding continuous symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation of his lumbar spine disability and psychiatric condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and skin disorders due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset of his symptoms.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis of the feet, and bilateral hallux valgus and hammertoe. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to military service.

The reduction of the rating for low back disability from 40% to 20% was improper, and the 40% rating is restored. The case regarding entitlement to TDIU prior to November 17, 2016, is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected DDD other than IVDS with spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues due to his withdrawal of those claims. The TDIU claim was also dismissed as there is no evidence that an earlier effective date can be assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and back disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active military service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to withdrawal of his claims. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for service-connected left knee meniscal tear, joint osteoarthritis, and an effective date prior to December 14, 2011, for the grant of service connection for right knee meniscal tear, joint osteoarthritis, and right knee anterior cruciate ligament.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric conditions. The issues include PTSD, restless leg syndrome, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, right foot disorders, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to noise trauma sustained during service. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. However, the right knee degenerative arthritis disease status post arthroscopy claim remains pending due to a need for additional examination.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, peptic ulcer disease, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, is granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine spondylosis, right hand osteoarthritis, and left hand osteoarthritis based on chronic disease presumptive service connection due to symptoms that had their onset during service and have been continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative arthritis resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees prior to November 9, 2015. A rating of 20 percent is granted for this period.