Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that service connection for ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted due to a chronicity of symptoms since service, including back pain during active duty.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his left wrist disability was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for the entire period on appeal, which includes a temporary total convalescent rating from February 16, 2016 to June 30, 2016. He is also receiving a separate 10 percent rating for his left wrist scar.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition began during service and has been recurrent since then, granting service connection for this disability.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of her periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The claims will be further adjudicated after verifying her service history.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's claims are remanded for an updated VA examination to assess the severity of his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's neck disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, is related to his in-service injury. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with sciatica, right hip condition, and left knee condition. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions were caused by service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his back and carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims for increased ratings will be remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an initial disability rating of 20 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis with tenosynovitis. The OSA is found to be proximately due to his service-connected psychiatric and musculoskeletal disabilities, while the right ankle condition is found to have marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent effective from April 5, 2016. His service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee remains rated at 10 percent. The appeal for increased ratings and service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee osteoarthritis and internal derangement, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The appellant is to be afforded appropriate examinations to determine the current severity of his lumbar spine, right knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for PTSD is dismissed. The Board also finds that further development is necessary before a decision can be made regarding the issue of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee meniscal tear with joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence received, but did not specify any outcome or rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate reasons or bases in prior decisions, and because of outstanding VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU based on his unemployment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and strain with scoliosis, left knee strain, left ankle osteoarthritis, and right ankle bursitis are all remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected left ankle condition is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the back has been dismissed due to his death.