Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, claimed as a back condition to include as secondary to his service-connected right foot and bilateral knee disabilities is granted. The appeal seeking entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right foot hallux valgus status post bunionectomy is dismissed. The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for plantar calcaneal spur exostosis of the right foot, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left hand ankylosed little finger with degenerative arthritis is denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeals for COPD, bilateral shoulder conditions, Peyronie's disease, skin cancer, right heel disability, peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities, entitlement to a compensable rating for residuals of a rib fracture, and earlier effective date prior to February 28, 2013 for the award of service connection for a rib fracture residual were dismissed. The Veteran's esophageal stricture was granted with a 50% disability rating. Service connection for coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis of the right wrist, and bilateral knees was also granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, including evaluating any functional loss due to flare-ups or repetitive use. The issues are remanded pending resolution of these matters.

The Board dismissed all appeals for increased ratings and effective date claims related to various conditions, including cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, posttraumatic degenerative changes of the right ankle, right shoulder rotator cuff strain/tendonitis, degenerative changes of the left knee, degenerative changes of the right knee, sciatic nerve radiculopathies in both lower extremities, and femoral nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent, and the right knee disability is rated at 50 percent. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for these conditions.,SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status from March 1, 2021 was denied as he does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hyperlipidemia was dismissed. The claims of service connection for left and right ankle conditions, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, obesity, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depressive disorder, eating disorder, and sleeping disturbances), right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, right hip pain, left hip pain, neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity have been reopened.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right hand, left hand, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as there were no competent opinions linking the current diagnoses to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disorders, as well as his right and left hip disorders, are being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate medical opinions.,The lumbar spine DDD and thoracic spine fracture claims are also being remanded for a more complete evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and TDIU due to new evidence added since the December 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was granted a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion, but the request for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for extension was denied.

The Board has dismissed all pending claims due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, as the previous examination was deemed inadequate.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ankle degenerative arthritis have been granted service connection. The low back disability secondary to the left ankle is being remanded for further review.,Service connection has been established for tinnitus due to in-service noise exposure, and for right ankle degenerative arthritis as a result of overuse secondary to his left ankle condition.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran was granted service connection for deviated septum and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but denied hearing loss.,Service connection for deviated septum is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since active service. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted as well due to continuous symptoms since active service.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that has not been reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's diabetes and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further development to determine their current severity.