Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the feet secondary to service connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus, service connection for vertigo, including dizziness and giddiness, secondary to service connected migraine headaches and/or tinnitus, and service connection for a traumatic brain injury are all remanded.,The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated based on the evidence provided during the hearing and any additional records obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of left ring finger fracture and left hand Dupuytren's nodule have been granted, with a 10% rating assigned in each case.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee condition and its relationship to his service-connected left knee condition. The Veteran will need a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis have been rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The Board found that his current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right ankle osteoarthritis and tendonitis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service due to joint impact sustained while driving high speed boats during service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee, back, and hip disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for tension headaches (claimed as migraine) and lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and temporary total rating due to back surgery, as they are inextricably intertwined. An additional medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's current spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the service connection for a right hand injury, including osteoarthritis as secondary to PTSD. The Board dismissed this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence supports a link to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee degenerative arthritis have been granted service connection. Service connection for the right upper extremity (carpal tunnel syndrome) and left upper extremity (carpal tunnel syndrome) neurological disabilities is also granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 40 percent disabling beginning April 19, 2022. The coccyx fracture residuals are rated as a compensable 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities are not related to his active service, including as residuals of a frostbite injury. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or were otherwise caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient retroactive assessment of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability from January 20, 2010 through January 8, 2014. The examiner is required to provide a retroactive assessment including measurements of active motion, passive motion, and pain with weight-bearing and without weight-bearing for this period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI or acquired psychiatric disorder was denied as the evidence did not support a finding of such disabilities during his active duty.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS and radiculopathy, right lower extremity, sciatic nerve were also denied due to lack of supporting medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's OSA is related to service, neuropathy of the upper extremities and back disability are being examined again, and a full accounting of his treatment records from Landstuhl Army Hospital in Germany must be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the service connection for a low back disability, specifically regarding whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected bilateral knee strain. The Veteran's representative and VA Office of the General Counsel filed a Joint Motion to Remand (JMR) which vacated the May 2021 decision as it pertained to this issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased evaluation for residuals of a left ankle sprain and service connection for a lumbar spine disorder. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to March 25, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent from March 25, 2022, for service-connected lumbosacral strain with scoliosis now with degenerative arthritis, and intervertebral disc syndrome (previously rated as lumbosacral strain with scoliosis) was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted. Her claims for service connection for a neck disability are remanded.,The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 25, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent from March 25, 2022, due to lack of incapacitating episodes or limitation of motion. The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a neck disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is reopened, and he is granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.,The Veteran's right shoulder subacromial impingement syndrome with SLAP labral tear and degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran is also granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee effective April 30, 2018.