Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current back disabilities are related to his service-connected costochondritis of the right ribs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected lower back disability and right knee strain due to new examinations being necessary as he indicated a worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied as his right hip injury with osteoarthritis and left hip strain did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the veteran's claims as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's knee conditions, including patellar instability and tricompartmental degenerative arthritis. The remand is due to insufficient examination reports addressing additional functional loss during flare-ups and testing for pain in both active and passive motion.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate to make a fully informed decision on the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis, varicose veins of the bilateral lower extremity, and right shoulder disability. The Board is therefore remanding these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders is granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing the Veteran with new VA examinations to assess his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist; carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist; right hand strain; left hand strain; and degenerative arthritis, left wrist.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities due to new evidence received since the last Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in its November 2017 decision, and further development is needed before a final determination can be made on service connection for low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied effective December 3, 2013.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. A separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability and a 10 percent rating for the right knee condition (strain, pain syndrome and arthritis) are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and consideration of a cervical spine disability, as well as service connection for the Veteran's low back and right hand conditions. The issues remain pending.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from October 24, 2018. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the Veteran does not meet the schedular or extraschedular criteria.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than February 29, 1996 for the grant of service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as her service-connected disabilities do not render her unemployable, considering her other severe nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected residuals of gunshot wound, right calf.