Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for his left and right knee disabilities from 20% to 10%, finding that the reductions were improper due to a lack of evidence showing an improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, but granted it for a liver disability and an enlarged spleen.,Service connection was also remanded for right knee and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, but remanded the claims for his spine, left knee, and right foot disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for sinusitis, right hip osteoarthritis, and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity have been granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sinusitis, right hip osteoarthritis, and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and radiculopathy of the left sciatica nerve are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records to be reviewed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of increased ratings for left elbow degenerative arthritis and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis prior to March 15, 2019.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied service connection claims for fallen arches and right knee condition was granted.,Service connection for skin rash, bilateral flat feet, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee DJD, left knee DJD, right ankle tendonitis, and left ankle tendonitis is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left shoulder, left hip, and left knee disabilities. The right hip and right knee disabilities are denied as secondary to the other disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronic disease, and that any current conditions are not proximate to his service-connected hip and spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and sleep apnea due to inadequate VA examinations in the original decision. The Veteran will need new medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right knee disability due to insufficient evidence in previous examinations. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a rating for her right knee osteoarthritis are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and associated total hip replacement residuals, as well as left hip osteoarthritis and associated total hip replacement residuals. The decision is based on the Veteran's active duty service and his reported complaints of hip problems during boot camp.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted, with presumptive service connection based on a continuity of symptomatology since separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss claims due to inconsistencies with previous examinations. The Veteran also needs updated VA treatment records, an audiological examination, and a knee disability examination.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, effective June 13, 2022. This rating reflects the severity of her condition as determined by VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to November 20, 2014 was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria and there is no evidence of unemployability due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thalassemia/chronic microcytic anemia and shoulder conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his fatigue and shortness of breath.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected left ankle and bilateral knee disabilities. The initial evaluations for the left shoulder, left and right knees are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of right ear hearing loss prior to April 1, 2022, and denied his claim for service connection for radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity. His claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS were also denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims due to his withdrawal of those issues prior to a decision being made.