Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing left knee condition was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the most recent VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected right hip tendonitis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and torn medial meniscus, right knee are inadequate. Therefore, the claims must be remanded to obtain new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence after the most recent Statements of the Case. The AOJ will clarify the Veteran’s desires regarding his restored ratings, as well as his satisfaction with the rating assigned for GERD.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis has been dismissed. The issues of service connection for recurrent right facial laceration scars, brain disorder to include lesions claimed as the result of exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water and jet fuel, and a dilated aorta with left ventricle hypertrophy are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran was engaged in substantially gainful employment and thus not unemployable, leading to the discontinuance of a TDIU from February 1, 2011. The appeal for service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine as it did not have its onset during active service, was not caused by active service, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions, including amyloid myopathy (also claimed as polymyositis), COPD, foot drop, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral neuropathy, and spine disorders. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with herniated discs is rated at 20 percent from July 28, 2011, to October 13, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as the TDIU claim due to service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities. Additional VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for right ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, and chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for hypogonadism with erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right ankle disabilities. The claims are now remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left ankle disability and denied an earlier effective date, finding that the Veteran's claim was not received until March 3, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis and remanded his claim for an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is granted a 20% rating, effective from the date of claim. The increase in PTSD rating to 70% and service connection for bilateral eye disability are denied as not factually ascertainable within one year prior to March 25, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability, finding that the current condition is not related to service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchial asthma was reopened and granted. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is also granted, but the right knee condition, back problems, and psychiatric disorder claims are remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluations for his right knee and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of secondary service connection. The VA will schedule examinations and obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeals.