Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The claim for service connection for right elbow disability is being remanded due to the need for separate opinions addressing each condition of the right elbow diagnosed during the claim period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, post-operative medial meniscal repair and bilateral pes planus has been granted. The decision also remanded the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has decided to remand three of the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or as due to housebound status is remanded due to unclear current severity of her service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected conditions on her daily activities and whether she can leave her home.

The Board has denied service connection for right iliac artery dissection with subsequent embolism resulting in right kidney infarction and remanded the issue of service connection for right hip osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for further evaluation and to obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the reduction of his rating for residuals of a right first metatarsal fracture with degenerative arthritis from 30 percent to 10 percent. The issues of service connection and increased rating remain on appeal.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected left tibia stress fracture, left knee osteoarthritis/instability, and right knee osteoarthritis disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to new evidence indicating worsening of the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain a VA examiner's curriculum vitae.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome is rated at 40 percent effective June 20, 2017.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be related to service, and he meets the criteria for TDIU from May 26, 2016 onwards.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability, finding that her condition did not manifest during active service and there is no indication it was caused or aggravated by service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a rating for his right index finger scar were all denied by the Board.

The Veteran's back disability was granted a 40% rating from February 29, 2016 to August 11, 2018. The right and left sciatic nerve impingement were not granted initial ratings in excess of 40%. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the feet associated with heel spurs is granted. The Board finds that his bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis are not related to his military service, but he is granted service connection for these conditions due to continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his lumbosacral spine, right hip, and ruptured diaphragm repair scar disabilities due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and temporary total evaluations due to inconsistencies in his cervical spine disability rating, as well as the need for additional evidence regarding physical therapy records. The Veteran is also seeking a higher rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection and a compensable rating for hypertension is remanded.