Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disorder, characterized as degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), is as likely as not related to his active-duty service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain and left ankle degenerative arthritis are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations, with no higher ratings due to lack of ankylosis or other specific criteria.,Service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability is denied as it pre-existed service. Service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right foot arthritis is related to service-connected bilateral pes planus. The case will be returned for a new addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and effective dates has been decided.,Service connection for TMJ is remanded, and the issue of CUE in the November 2011 rating decision regarding lumbar spine disability is referred to the RO.

The Veteran's right knee instability is granted with a separate 10 percent rating prior to March 15, 2016. The claim for increased ratings for chondromalacia and limitation of motion are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus with metatarsalgia, a compensable rating for left foot hammer toes, and whether new and relevant evidence has been received to reopen previously denied claims for service connection. The remaining issues were dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for occipital neuralgia (headaches) as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis is granted. The claim for an evaluation higher than 20 percent for the cervical spine disorder remains denied, and a remand is ordered for further review of intercranial hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment, as his vision impairment does not qualify under the specified regulations.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, characterized by chronic sprain and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 20 percent since the initial rating decision. The Board found that it more nearly approximated a severe limitation of motion.

The Veteran's back condition, right shoulder strain, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as a left shoulder and hand condition), and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as a right hand condition) are all granted. The kidney condition is remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left and right foot pes planus, as the Veteran's preexisting flat feet did not worsen during his active duty service.,The Board also denied service connection for left and right foot hallux rigidus with degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no in-service injury or disease to these joints.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the low back, right hip osteoarthritis, and left hip strain. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are also denied, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to September 13, 2021.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing range of motion and functional loss due to pain, as well as retrospective measurements for the entire claims period.

The Board has determined that service connection for hypertension is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of hypertension in the record.,The nature and etiology of the Veteran's low back condition to include degenerative arthritis of the spine with sciatica, and headaches to include tension headaches and as secondary to service connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus (claimed as migraine headaches) are unclear due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran must be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination.,The Board has determined that service connection for headaches is not warranted as there is no diagnosis of a chronic condition in the record.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to April 5, 2021 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is directed to consider referral for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), right shoulder osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, type 2, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for an examination.

The Veteran's thoracic spine injury residuals are not rated appropriately, and the Board has ordered a remand to gather more information about his current condition.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is productive of at least mild, incomplete paralysis of the median nerve. The Board finds that a rating of at least 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 8515 is warranted for his neurological impairment of the left wrist.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities were rated at 10% prior to May 18, 2017. The Board found no evidence of instability or other conditions warranting a higher rating.