Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis and headaches are granted service connection, while her hypothyroidism is denied.,Service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and headaches is granted based on the evidence showing a relationship to service. Service connection for hypothyroidism is denied as there is no evidence of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left wrist disorder and a fractured little finger were denied. His increased ratings for knee disabilities were also denied.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for various conditions are dismissed.,The rating reduction from 20 percent to 0 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder with chronic separation was proper.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis is granted as his current disability is related to an in-service motorcycle accident. The Board finds the evidence to be in equipoise regarding this relationship.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since March 12, 2014. A TDIU was granted prior to June 20, 2016.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis and right radiculopathy have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to new evidence and inconsistencies in the medical records. The Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms since service are considered, along with VA examination findings.

The Veteran is granted an eligibility percentage for educational assistance of 100 percent under the Post 9/11 GI Bill due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected right knee disability is denied, but he receives a separate initial 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his service-connected lumbar spine disability and its impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include ratings for right ankle, lumbar spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for her bilateral knee condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between her current condition and her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands, bilateral knee disability, low back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and osteoarthritis of wrists, elbows, shoulders, and neck disabilities. The reasons include lack of credible evidence of current disability within the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's left knee and hip conditions due to outstanding VA treatment records. The claims will be reviewed again with all relevant medical history considered.

The Veteran's appeal for initial compensable ratings and service connection for various hand, wrist, and ankle conditions has been remanded due to incomplete records of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).