Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right ankle, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his in-service accident.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's end stage dementia was related to his military service and service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and CAD. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues include back disability, neck disability, hip disorders, lower extremity neuropathies, muscle cramps, edema, and upper left arm pain.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left ankle was denied as her disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as TDIU, are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board denied service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is rated at 10 percent, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: one regarding a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and another for an initial higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's last VA examinations were in November 2014, and the Board finds that new examinations are needed due to possible increased symptomatology since then.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral ankle disabilities are granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence in equipoise, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate or insufficient examinations in the record.

The Board is remanding the claims for a compensable rating for right shoulder osteoarthritis and headaches due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right thumb condition, a right heel condition, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to new evidence received. The claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine remains in remand status.

The Board has granted service connection for status post right hip replacement with osteoarthritis and status post left hip replacement with osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and failure to address additional functional loss during flare-ups or after repetitive use.

The Veteran's request for an increase in the rating for his left ankle disability is being remanded due to missing records and procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and associated headaches are related to service, granting their claims for service connection.

The Veteran's initial compensable and increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has instructed the RO to obtain a supplemental medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including whether it is related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's right knee and TDIU claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased evaluation for his service-connected right knee disability and entitlement to TDIU are being remanded.