Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate examination and duty-to-assist issues, requiring a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for left ankle degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine mild degenerative disc disease, and varicose veins of the legs. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus type 2 and peripheral neuropathy of the feet.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evaluation of neurological manifestations associated with the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The case is now pending for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip disability and left hip osteoarthritis, finding no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between any diagnosed conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as a rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, have been dismissed. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and the acquisition of SSA records to determine the severity of his service-connected back condition, which may affect his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his anxiety disorder and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders due to incomplete records, missing x-ray reports, and the need for additional VA examination.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left hip is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and she is now entitled to a 10% rating for right knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis. The claim for right knee instability has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied multiple times due to the character of his discharge, but were reopened and granted effective June 24, 2015.,PTSD with alcohol dependence (in full remission) was granted effective June 24, 2015.

The Board is remanding the claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings due to new evidence indicating potential secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings and effective dates for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board granted increased ratings for left knee plica syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and carpal tunnel syndromes (right and left), with a combined rating of 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new evidence indicating an increase in severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities since his last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his left hip, right hip, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, major depressive disorder (MDD), and TDIU. The VA will obtain outstanding records from the Louisville VA Medical Center and schedule a new examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for osteoarthritis/polyarthritis, cervical spine disability, and bilateral foot disability due to inadequate opinions from VA examinations. Further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding direct service connection and secondary service connection for a back condition. Additional evidence is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination and the need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar strain is related to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.