Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his military service. The Veteran needs to provide medical records and a supplemental opinion from a treating physician.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as there was no evidence of a valid claim prior to July 27, 2011. The effective date for his increased ratings and service connection will be set at July 27, 2011.

The Veteran's back disability and left common peroneal neuropathy are being remanded for further evaluation due to reported worsening of symptoms.

Your initial evaluations for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeals.,Your initial evaluation for acne to include scarring of face has been denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's acne does not warrant a higher than 30 percent rating based on the current evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left lower radiculopathy, and right lower radiculopathy. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a current disability related to these conditions and that any previous diagnoses were not shown within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for her low back strain with osteoarthritis and service connection for right leg radiculopathy as secondary to her service-connected back strain. The Veteran needs updated VA treatment records, including the results of a March 2018 EMG/nerve conduction study, and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, including his total knee replacement, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% chance the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his service-connected knee disabilities, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a left knee disability, and has determined that this condition is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Veteran now has service connection for left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lower back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) are still pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date determinations, and reductions of evaluations. The primary focus is on determining whether the Veteran's conditions are secondary to herbicide exposure or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear with osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injuries, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor does he have ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The case is remanded to obtain updated treatment records, conduct VA examinations, and determine the current severity of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a back disability and TDIU due to in-service injury, requiring additional medical opinions and development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for osteoarthritis and avascular necrosis of the left wrist (10%) and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity (40%) are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the current evaluations do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities as the evidence did not show they were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back disability diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to December 8, 2016 is remanded.