Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with the exception of bilateral hip condition which was denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current disability and active service.

The Board has found that the VA examinations provided were insufficient to resolve the service connection claims for left knee degenerative arthritis and hypertension, as well as the increased rating claim for chronic dermatitis. The Veteran's symptoms have not been adequately addressed in the examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case for additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection for kidney disease. The claim for service connection for general osteoarthritis remains denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, as well as to determine if an evaluation in excess of 10 percent or 20 percent should be assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to comply with the requirements set forth in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), and to determine the current severity of the Veteran's left knee conditions.

The Board has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for right knee meniscal tears and degenerative arthritis with popliteus tendonitis, but denied a higher rating for right knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine condition, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and hypertension are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is denied because the Veteran was not evaluated as totally disabled for a continuous period of at least 10 years immediately preceding death. The appeal for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to missing medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate statements of reasons or bases and unclear duty-to-assist issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine disorder, brain tumor, and degenerative arthritis due to new evidence submitted. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's disability compensation for his service-connected right knee condition was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, and the Board has now remanded these issues.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied as there is no evidence of limitation in range of motion or functional loss due to pain, even considering flare-ups. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 5242 or 5003.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the February 1995 rating decision that assigned a 10 percent evaluation for his right ankle strain with degenerative arthritis and callosities. The current appeal concerns an increased rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability is now before the Board.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease may be related to his service, including potential herbicide exposure near the Korean DMZ. The right shoulder and spine conditions need further examination for a determination of their current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that it is not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the onset of his knee conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and an evaluation of his entitlement to TDIU.