Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted the claim, finding that the Veteran's current left knee disability is proximately related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including testing on both active and passive motion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis with painful motion of thumb and 5th metacarpal, right hand is denied.,Service connection for sinusitis has been granted based on presumed exposure to burn pits during service in Southwest Asia.,Claims for service connection for a right leg disability and left leg disability are dismissed as they have been rendered moot by the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis and need for further examination.,Service connection for dermatitis and rosacea is remanded due to need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to service, including exposure to burn pits in Iraq.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder injury has been reopened, and the case is remanded to determine if his current right shoulder diagnoses are related to an in-service injury or his service-connected right elbow disability. The bilateral hip claims are also remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Appellant's claims for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance, as well as survivors' pension due to countable income exceeding maximum annual pension rates. The appeals were remanded multiple times but no additional evidence was provided.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his right and left knee instability. The Veteran was granted separate 20 percent ratings for both knees' instability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, which adequately reflects his symptoms.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and no higher as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension was granted a 40% rating, but the RO reduced it to 10%. The reduction is now being restored.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that his current condition is not related to service. The Board also found that his left knee osteoarthritis did not have its onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the knees. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as 0 percent prior to January 22, 2020, and 30 percent since then. For his knee disabilities, a rating higher than 20 percent based on limitation of flexion has been granted for each knee up to April 30, 2021.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, residuals of an appendix removal, and eye condition (presbyopia). The claim for arthritis/osteoarthritis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining SSA records and determining if the left knee osteoarthritis is related to a service-connected wound from active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee strain, low back pain, and bilateral shoulder disability (claimed as degenerative arthritis), but remanded the claim for tinnitus due to outstanding records. The decision grants service connection for bilateral knee strain.

The Board has found that new evidence has been added to the record and must be considered, including VA examinations for PTSD and VA treatment records. The claim is being remanded so that the AOJ may consider this new evidence prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left elbow disability was denied. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion and a non-compensable rating for impairment of pronation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for vascular insufficiency with right leg amputation and right knee injury due to conflicting statements regarding which leg was allegedly injured during service. The Veteran's service treatment records are illegible and/or unavailable, and a VA medical opinion is needed to address the claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. A 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted effective April 19, 2006.

The Board has ordered the RO to remand two cases: one for an increased rating of left knee disability and another for an increased rating of degenerative arthritis of the spine. The remands are due to inadequate examinations that did not address all relevant symptoms, including flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee condition and lumbar degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis, both claimed as secondary to service-connected left knee patellofemoral syndrome. The VA examiners were directed to provide opinions on whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by the service-connected left knee condition.