Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the need for a proper examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU prior to December 27, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, left leg, and cervical spine disorders due to a lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The reasons are that the most recent VA examinations were almost seven years ago, and the disabilities have worsened since then.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted a rating of 20 percent effective May 20, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and OSA, but has remanded the cases of Bell's palsy, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar strain, and PTSD with major depressive episode (PTSD).

The Board denied service connection for gout, total right shoulder replacement with osteoarthritis, and hypertension as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty or any period of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left carpal tunnel syndrome. The cervical spondylosis claim is remanded for an addendum opinion to address whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected low back strain, and if so, whether it also caused or aggravated any other conditions listed in the issues section.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of recent VA examinations and updated medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his service. The examiner needs to consider the Veteran's testimony and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety. The bilateral hand condition claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a peripheral nerve condition or degenerative arthritis related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and low back osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new knee examination. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating issues.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and further clarification of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right and left knee joint osteoarthritis as they are not related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lower back (also claimed as osteoarthritis of the spine) because there was no evidence showing it had its onset during active duty, within one year after separation from service, or was otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded due to inadequate examination findings and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining VA or private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for her bilateral foot conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service aggravation and concluding that any current conditions are not related to her active service.

The Veteran's left hip conditions are found to be related to an inservice injury, and service connection is granted. The right hip bursitis also meets the criteria for a rating of 10 percent.