Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's left ankle condition, including achilles tendonitis and degenerative arthritis, was not shown as chronic in service or related to an in-service injury. The Board denied service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of a current residual of the right eye chemical burn by exposure to jet fuel. Service connection for residuals of the right eye chemical burn was denied.,The Veteran's neck disability, presumed due to his service-connected spinal condition, was not shown as chronic in service or related to an in-service injury. The Board remanded this issue.

The Board found that the discontinuance of VA VR&E benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code was proper due to the Veteran's unsatisfactory conduct and cooperation in his rehabilitation program.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but not yet decided.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for asthma has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has remanded several other issues related to various disorders, including headaches, bilateral eye disorder, chronic sinusitis, skin disorder, neck disorder, upper back muscular disorder, left elbow disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, left hand disorder, right hand disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, and left foot disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee patellar chondromalacia, and right knee patellar chondromalacia have also been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The Board found a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability due to outstanding records and insufficient evidence. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining STRs, private treatment records, and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from June 5, 2017, to February 21, 2018. The Board granted TDIU during this period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine. The claim will be reconsidered after a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of tibia fracture with mild patellofemoral compartment osteoarthritis in the left lower extremity is being remanded due to incomplete development. The VA has not obtained updated VA medical records from the most recent treatment date provided.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis is denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there has been no diagnosis of ankylosis or IVDS with incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that March 29, 2016 is the earliest effective date assignable.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with strain prior to November 10, 2020, is denied as his range of motion and ankylosis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for degenerative arthritis, status post 5th left finger dislocation was denied by the Board. The evidence did not support a higher rating as there was no limitation of motion in any other joints and the disability is rated under the 'direct' service connection theory.

The Board denied an increased rating for osteoarthritis and disc displacement of the left/right TMJ, maintaining a current rating of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and need for additional development regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremities due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 23, 2014 for the award of service connection for a right knee disability. The cases regarding higher initial ratings for nephrolithiasis and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ruptured right ear drum and GERD were denied. The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for hip disabilities, including limitation of extension and flexion, were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's headaches were granted as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's ankle disabilities or carpal tunnel syndrome.