Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically regarding instability. The Veteran is also pending a decision on his claim for increased rating for his right hip arthroplasty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee arthritis, right knee instability, and athlete's foot due to new evidence indicating worsening of his disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot disorders, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claim for a left knee disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and he is also found to be in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted the TDIU claim and remanded for a VA examination regarding SMC.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was denied, as the current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's sinus disability, diagnosed as allergic rhinitis, is granted service connection due to presumed exposure during his Gulf War service. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and right shoulder disability are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for a neck disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the onset of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, Charcot Marie Tooth disease of the right foot, and degenerative arthritis of the right foot has been granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the entirety of the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that his current cervical spine disorders are proximately due to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to open medical questions regarding etiology. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including any additional relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been granted an initial rating of 20 percent, effective March 25, 2022. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and instability, is not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for ocular migraines and osteoarthritis, lumbar spine. The claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral ankle and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including range of motion assessments and a comprehensive assessment of functional limitations.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis have been rated at 10 percent each since April 10, 2014. The Board denied increased ratings for both knees as the evidence did not show any additional functional loss or instability beyond what is already reflected in the current rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's arthritis. The Veteran is asked to provide an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Veteran's right knee instability has been rated at 10 percent prior to August 23, 2016 and at 20 percent from August 23, 2016 to January 21, 2021. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,For the period from January 22, 2021, the Veteran's right knee instability warrants a disability rating of 30 percent under the current criteria.,The Veteran's posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee remains rated at null.

The Board has granted service connection for vertigo, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (as secondary to service-connected TBI), and cervical spondylosis (also as secondary to service-connected TBI).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and upper extremity disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to incomplete development of records related to his convalescence period following a cervical fusion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, effective October 23, 2013. Separate ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and sensory impairment are also granted.