Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine and left hip osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service. The decision also remanded several other issues.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorders, including left and right knee chondromalacia and osteoarthritis, have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disability and his service-connected right knee disability. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the Veteran's current back disabilities and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records. The case will be returned to VA to obtain and review any missing treatment records from the VA medical center.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for left and right knee scars have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the cases for further evaluation of his bilateral knee and lumbar spine conditions, as well as a determination on his TDIU claim prior to January 31, 2017.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability rating from 20% to 10% for service-connected residuals of right knee sprain was proper and denied restoration. A separate 10% rating was granted for painful motion due to degenerative arthritis, effective August 18, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues with range of motion assessments for his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are now service connected. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's back and right hip disorders may be related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, but further examination is needed to confirm this.

The Board denied service connection for right hip disorder and granted separate ratings of 10% each for left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis, mild instability, and post-operative meniscal tear.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the provision of authorization for private treatment records.

The Veteran's left hip disability, including strain and osteoarthritis, is due to in-service trauma from parachute jumps. The right ankle disability was also caused by repeated trauma during service. Sleep apnea had its onset in service and continues since then. Migraine headaches began in service.,Right hip arthritis with limitation of extension and loss of flexion are currently rated as non-compensable, but further evaluation is needed.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his skin cancer residuals did not contribute substantially or materially to his death and were unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has remanded for further examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted. The left shoulder disability remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU due to new and additional evidence, including updated VA treatment records and examination reports. The Veteran will be asked to provide details about his employment positions and undergo another VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative changes, lumbar hypertrophic osteoarthritis, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, SMC for loss of use of a creative organ, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are also remanded.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, and SMC for loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for erectile dysfunction associated with PTSD, and earlier effective date for SMC for loss of use of a creative organ. The Veteran's TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition was reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of the claim, but remanded for an addendum medical opinion from the private physician who conducted the VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation beyond 10 percent prior to December 6, 2016 and 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has ordered a new examination and medical opinion due to the inadequacy of the previous opinions regarding the Veteran's foot disabilities, particularly pes planus. The examiner must determine if these conditions are related to service.