Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial rating for his left wrist disability is being remanded, and the TDIU claim is also being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's patella femoral syndrome and degenerative arthritis with IVDS were granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective March 7, 2013. Separate compensable ratings for the knees are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, left knee as it is not related to her service-connected bilateral pes planus and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hands, finding that it is presumed to be related to service. Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of an increased rating for left knee with mild osteoarthritis due to a need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for further examination and determination of its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee strain. The appeals were denied as there was no evidence showing an intent to file a claim prior to June 29, 2014, and the medical evidence did not support higher schedular ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected chronic low back strain is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding whether his service-connected condition has aggravated other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and evaluation, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's request to reopen the finally disallowed claim of residuals of a stress fracture of the right tibia was denied. The left knee disability, variously diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis and meniscus tear of the left knee, is granted.,Issues regarding the right knee condition and left shin splints are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied. The appeals are not about service connection at all, but rather increased ratings and remand of certain issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been reopened and granted. However, the rating for erectile dysfunction remains remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right shoulder, left shoulder, and left elbow degenerative arthritis as well as her left hip trochanteric bursitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of her conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left and right knees have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for either knee.

The Veteran's kidney condition, characterized by kidney stones, is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis, a spine condition (back injury), right knee condition, and right ankle condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle arthralgia and left knee degenerative arthritis as due to service-connected right knee disabilities, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of higher initial ratings for left knee strain, right knee degenerative arthritis, residuals of a right ankle injury, and bilateral pes planus. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 28, 2017 is also remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the above issues.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, increased ratings for hearing loss and depression, initial ratings for back disability and radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,VA examinations will be scheduled to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and their impact on employment.