Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn and are dismissed.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic asthmatic bronchitis has not been met.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and GERD on the basis of direct service connection. The low back disability is found to have had its onset during active service, while GERD was aggravated by diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow disability, lateral epicondylitis, degenerative arthritis of the right elbow, and right cubital tunnel syndrome due to lack of evidence showing a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to delays in processing and incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 10, 2014 for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date was February 10, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits was also denied as it should correspond to the effective dates for service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left foot osteoarthritis with hallux valgus, and right foot osteoarthritis with hallux valgus. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his in-service duties.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including VA and non-VA treatment records. The examiner is also asked to assess the severity of his IVDS and determine if he has experienced incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development of his employment history and other relevant information.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right and left knee disabilities, including instability, are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under current VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, status post anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is being remanded due to an inadequate opinion from a previous VA examiner. The Board requests another opinion to consider the Veteran's reported lay-observable neck symptoms during the 27-year period between 1979 and 2006.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding obesity and its relation to the Veteran's knee disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 40 percent disability rating for his service-connected back disability, finding that there was no evidence of sustained improvement under ordinary life conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination and failure to consider recent medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and hypertension due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or undergo VA examinations to determine if there is a link between his current disorders and his period of service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right hip injury and left hip osteoarthritis, finding an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his service-connected right ankle fracture and his current left hip condition. The Board also found that arthritis did not manifest within one year following service discharge.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical spine disability was denied, but a 20 percent rating was granted for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity beginning January 31, 2018. The Veteran's initial rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was also granted at this time, with a higher rating being denied thereafter. A 10 percent rating was granted for GERD with gastritis, hiatal hernia, and status post surgery Nissen repair fundoplication with surgical scars.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns raised in a Joint Motion for Partial Remand, which requires further action consistent with the Court's decision. Specifically, the Veteran needs a new VA examination to address his functional loss during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current disability of the feet, and the claim was denied on the basis that there is no evidence of a chronic foot condition during service or since. For his anxiety disorder with TBI, the Board determined that the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders (DC 9413) should be used, resulting in a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of her back, knee, and shoulder conditions.