Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board denied payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Capital Regional Medical Center on October 3, 2015 due to the lack of prior authorization and failure to meet the emergency treatment criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to lack of VA examination records. The Appellant's service treatment records are silent for complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. However, his VA treatment records show ongoing symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for migraine headaches, ulcer disease, acquired psychiatric disorder, dizziness and fainting spells, degenerative disc disease of lumbar spine, and osteoarthritis. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for lumbar strain prior to October 8, 2015 and from October 8, 2015 for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The initial staged ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and GERD were also denied.

The Board has determined that updated VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, low back scar, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, coronary artery disease, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee and solar urticaria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete examinations, lack of retrospective opinions, and other procedural issues. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations and provide updated treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. The case is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff strain with osteoarthritis and lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of all issues in this appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin rash have been denied. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his low back disability and functional gastrointestinal disorder.,Service connection for a low back disability and functional gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) cannot be established as there are no objective indications of qualifying chronic disabilities.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity conditions. The Veteran will need to provide any missing records from Bagram Hospital in Afghanistan, Kandahar TMC, and Dr. Parker.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is not rated higher than 20 percent due to limitation of motion not reaching the 25 degrees from side threshold.,The Veteran's urticaria with angioneurotic edema does not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent as it has not resulted in debilitating episodes requiring immunosuppressive therapy or attacks occurring more than once per year without laryngeal involvement.,The Veteran's neuropathy of the left upper extremity is rated at 20 percent due to moderate incomplete paralysis, and does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, which was previously denied due to lack of a nexus between the condition and active duty service. The Board also granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there is continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and requires a new examination to assess the Veteran's hip and knee conditions, specifically whether they originated during his period of active service or are otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's service records indicate he had complaints of fatigue, left wrist pain, and numbness in his left thumb. He was diagnosed with a ganglion cyst on the right wrist which required surgery. The Board finds that additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.,VA will conduct further evaluations to assess whether the Veteran's osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, and sleep apnea are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right hip strain is rated at a 10% rating from December 27, 2018. A separate noncompensable rating for limitation of extension was granted prior to that date. The left knee osteoarthritis remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The appeals are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis, have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant.