Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities were examined, but the examination did not comply with VA requirements. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information and conduct a new examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, lumbar myositis (back condition), degenerative arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, left foot arthritis, right hip and left hip conditions, left ankle and right ankle conditions, a bilateral foot condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities, including a left foot condition and GERD. The Veteran also has multiple issues related to his cervical spine, lumbar spine, right wrist, knees, hips, and feet.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or event.

The reduction in the rating for internal derangement of the left knee with degenerative arthritis was improper, and the Veteran's disability is restored to a 20% rating effective April 5, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition is dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The case remains on remand for other issues.,The Veteran’s scoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine disability does not warrant a higher rating due to its current level of impairment.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition has worsened, causing pain, numbness, tingling and decreased grip strength in her bilateral upper extremities. The Board finds a remand is warranted for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of her cervical spine disorder and the origin of her symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, is presumed to have been incurred during service due to chronic symptoms of the condition.

The Board is remanding the cases for further action, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran also needs to be notified of his appellate rights on several effective date issues.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his left knee disability has been granted, with a rating of 10 percent for each issue.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee and back conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity of the conditions, including any neurological manifestations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD and a neck disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of GERD, and the Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine symptoms are not related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS is rated at a 10 percent rating from April 16, 2012 to May 29, 2014.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis, left knee osteoarthritis (to include as secondary to right knee disability), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression). The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his hip and knee disabilities due to outstanding medical records and a need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or the contaminated water exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and further testing is needed for proper adjudication of the claim.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis, osteoporosis, and degenerative disc disease as there is no probative medical evidence of current diagnoses.

The claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened and the claim is granted to this extent only. The other issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound due to service-connected disability from September 16, 2013 to March 23, 2015.