Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and gynecomastia, status post bilateral simple mastectomy, are both granted. The Veteran is assigned a 50 percent initial disability rating for his gynecomastia condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development and clarification of his conditions, exposure basis, service connection theory, and rating assigned. The claims include a request for an increased evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, as well as requests for service connection for bilateral hip degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorders and psychiatric conditions due to potential issues with service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left wrist range of motion during flare-ups and potential ankylosis.

The Veteran's right ankle osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent from March 28, 2013 to August 14, 2014 and from October 1, 2014 to January 12, 2016. A rating in excess of 20 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis on or after March 1, 2017 is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability and for TDIU prior to September 16, 2012. The remand is due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of functional impairment.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder, degenerative arthritis of the spine, GERD and hiatal hernia, and migraine headaches require further evaluation due to lack of recent VA examinations.,Additional medical evidence may be needed for a proper assessment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Board found that the current bilateral knee degenerative joint disease is secondary to his service-connected bilateral ankle arthralgia.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and skin disability of the plantar surface of the right foot due to new evidence received since previous final decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to his failure to authorize VA to obtain private treatment records. The issues include left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, lumbar spine, and right thumb disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective August 6, 2013. The appeal involves a higher initial rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lower extremity conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the feet and PVD of the lower extremities, were incurred in service due to frostbite injury. As a result, the claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right knee dislocated semilunar cartilage is granted, while his claims for left knee dislocated semilunar cartilage and instability, as well as right knee degenerative arthritis, are denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee condition, left knee condition, and respiratory condition due to asbestos. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (other than schizophrenia) was granted.,Service connection for the right and left knee conditions is not supported by evidence of record.

The Board has identified duty to assist errors in the Veteran's claims and requires new VA examinations for her bilateral knee disabilities. The case is remanded for these actions.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder, anxiety, and depression), and lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The criteria for direct service connection have been met in all cases.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle condition, left shoulder condition, and neck condition as there is no persuasive evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries.,The VA examiners provided negative opinions regarding the nexus between current diagnoses of right ankle, left shoulder, and neck conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The case is remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the claim for increased rating for IVDS with lumbar degenerative arthritis due to incomplete records and lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal of his initial rating for service-connected lumbar spine disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.