Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for traumatic osteoarthritis and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for left and right ankle disorders, as well as lumbar and right knee osteoarthritis, have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions.,For the period prior to September 8, 2017, the Veteran’s lumbar osteoarthritis was not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of L1 fracture with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating as there were no findings of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress, undress himself, keep himself clean, adjust prosthetic appliances, feed himself, attend to the wants of nature, or protect from hazards. The Board granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right knee disability as it found that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for left ankle degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine mild degenerative disc disease, and varicose veins of the legs. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the feet.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress, undress, or bathe himself.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disability is not related to her service-connected bilateral lower extremity stress fractures and there was no evidence of a nexus between the two conditions. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy, have rendered her unable to work due to functional limitations. The Board finds that further examination is needed to assess these issues in detail.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot hallux valgus, osteoarthritis, and plantar fasciitis as secondary to his service-connected left knee meniscectomy. The VA examiner found no credible nexus between these conditions and the service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate examination and duty-to-assist issues, requiring a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip disability and left hip osteoarthritis, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for degenerative arthritis of the neck, residuals head injury (including headaches and dizziness), and radiculopathy of the upper extremities. The Court found that these claims are intertwined with the Veteran's headache claim and requested a new opinion regarding whether his chronic headaches are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and symptomatology.