Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues include osteoporosis of the hands, wrist osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle osteoarthritis and granted it, finding that new evidence received since the last denial shows a current diagnosis of osteoarthritis. However, the Board also found that there is no causal link between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left ankle degenerative arthritis with residuals, status post joint fusion and ankylosis have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues, including those related to SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis, and chronic venous abnormality. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability due to inadequate examination and missing treatment records. The case is returned to the Board for further review, including an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his bilateral foot disability was denied as the evidence did not show that the condition manifested as severe bilateral flatfoot during the period from July 10, 2012 to November 19, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the back, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, and hypertension as they are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, as well as migraine headaches. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions originated during active service.

The Veteran's neck condition is granted service connection, but his bilateral ankle and hip disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right wrist is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted. The Board also remanded the remaining issues, including service connection for a neck disorder and higher ratings for various knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability from April 4, 2016 to March 22, 2019 due to inadequate examination and failure to consider all evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for eczema has been dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for left knee condition associated with degenerative arthritis, left ankle.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome has at least as likely as not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees since April 1, 2013.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and has not more nearly approximated a level of disability beyond mild incomplete paralysis at any point in the appeal period.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was initially evaluated at 20 percent, but has been increased to 40 percent for the period beginning August 31, 2021.,For the period prior to March 4, 2019, the Veteran is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been granted a 40 percent evaluation from March 4, 2019 to August 30, 2021 and is denied any higher rating thereafter.

The Veteran's initial claim for lumbar sprain was denied, and a rating of 20 percent is awarded from April 3, 2019. The ratings for radiculopathy are also denied.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder have been rated at 70 percent since March 30, 2015. The Board found the symptoms did not meet or approximate total occupational and social impairment.,Left hip femoro-acetabular osteoarthritis based on limited extension has been rated at 10 percent since March 30, 2015. The Veteran's flexion is limited to at most 100 degrees with no significant additional loss of motion due to pain or flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip condition, left hip condition, and low back condition have been denied.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or event that would support the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, finding that it had its onset during or is causally related to his active duty service.