Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right ankle is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, secondary to his right ankle disability, is also granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted as service-connected.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung condition due to withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran. The issues of increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as TDIU, are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on depressive disorder and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as an earlier effective date for TDIU, have been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The request to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability is granted.,Service connection for a right leg disability (claimed as right knee) is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness was denied.,A separate rating of 20 percent, but no higher, was granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns about the credibility of the Veteran's statements regarding his service-connected back disability. The case will be returned for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active duty service. The decision is based on the Veteran's consistent reports of continuous bilateral foot pain symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her hip conditions have been denied. The AOJ has assigned the maximum schedular ratings available under VA's rating schedule, and there is no evidence of additional functional loss or impairment not already accounted for in the current ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rated at least 70 percent combined throughout, but the Board found that they do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and experience.

The Board has remanded the appeals for scheduling of VA examinations to assess the current severity and functional impairment of various service-connected disabilities, including right knee osteoarthritis, left knee strain, bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hallux valgus, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bladder dysfunction, and bowel dysfunction.

The Veteran's hypertension, atrial fibrillation, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy are all granted as they are presumed to be related to his in-service herbicide exposure.,Right foot hammertoe is denied as it did not manifest during service or is otherwise unrelated to service.

The Veteran was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, finding that the current diagnoses were not related to service or any service-connected conditions. The Board also denied service connection for a left wrist carpal tunnel disability as secondary to service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant records are associated with the claims file and for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate examinations and the need for updated evaluations of the Veteran's right knee, lumbosacral spine, and left shoulder disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right radial nerve paresthesia disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to undergo an examination to determine the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.,Service connection for a back disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's current back disability, right hip disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and migraines. The issues of service connection for a right hip disability, bilateral foot disabilities, and migraines are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board granted a TDIU based on his physical and cognitive limitations.