Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran contends that he overcompensated for his right knee disability, leading to a current left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and degenerative arthritis of the spine have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a blood condition to include anemia and microcytosis is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including strain, meniscal tear, and degenerative arthritis associated with incomplete spastic paralysis and sciatic nerve involvement, is not rated higher than the current levels of 10 percent prior to November 2, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter. The scars are also not compensably disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for withdrawal of an earlier effective date appeal and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left foot condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left foot disorders, including flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative arthritis. The decision remains pending as it is not clear whether service connection will be granted or denied.

The Veteran's stepson, L.B., is recognized as a helpless child due to his cerebral palsy.,Service connection for left knee arthritis and swollen lips (claimed as hives) are granted based on in-service burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee ACL tear and osteoarthritis with limited flexion prior to June 7, 2016 is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's kidney condition and right knee disability were denied service connection as they are not shown to be related to his military service or secondary to a service-connected disability.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected right ankle disability was also denied.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his sleep apnea and hypertension, are granted service connection. The hearing loss disability in the left ear remains remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's right knee conditions due to a finding of clear and unmistakable error in the July 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a mood disorder is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and left knee strain.

The appeals concerning dizziness, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral orbital pseudotumor as secondary to the service-connected disability of migraine and mixed headache disorder, restless leg syndrome, left hip condition, right hip condition, and right shoulder condition have been dismissed.,Obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.

The Veteran's TDIU rating for PTSD is granted, and his PTSD rating is also granted at 70 percent. The left forearm disability is rated at 50 percent due to ankylosis of the elbow joint, and the left elbow arthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand requires additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's nasal disorder, sleep apnea, neck disorder, low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity numbness (left), and left-hand disorder are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the right-hand disorder and facial/mouth injury is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right wrist osteoarthritis and tendonitis, and for issuance of an SOC regarding service connection for arthritis of the right elbow as secondary to his right wrist disability.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right knee chondromalacia patella and osteoarthritis was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis due to a need for clarification regarding the Veteran's reported symptoms and additional functional limitations. The claim is also being remanded for further development, including obtaining information about private chiropractor treatments from 2015 to 2017.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's arthritis had its onset during active duty and is related to his military service. Service connection was denied for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency due to lack of evidence showing a superimposed disability attributable to service.