Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 9, 2009, for the grant of service connection for lumbar stenosis with degenerative arthritis of the spine with a scar is remanded. The issue of whether he was paid the correct amount of retroactive benefits following the November 2014 rating decision is also remanded due to its inextricability from the earlier effective date claim.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to additional information and examination being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis was reopened and granted. Service connection for sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and hypertension were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of right tibia and fibula fractures, including osteoarthritis and a knee replacement, has been reopened. The Board found that the preexisting injuries were aggravated by service, granting the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to her in-service duties.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development.,Effective date determinations will be addressed separately.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder was denied in April 2014, but reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic right knee disorder related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for diabetes mellitus, type II with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension on October 16, 2014, along with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The effective date is set at October 16, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability, as there is evidence suggesting an increase in severity since the last examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 100% disability rating, and the issues of service connection for osteoarthritis and depression have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issue of total disability rating based on individual unemployability is moot as the Veteran now receives a 100% schedular rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis in multiple joints, including as due to a service-connected total abdominal hysterectomy, finding that her current condition is not related to active service or any incident of service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left and right foot first metatarsophalangeal osteoarthritis are remanded. The claim for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, secondary to service-connected bilateral foot disabilities, is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, lumbar DJD, right ankle osteoarthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis have been granted as secondary to her bilateral calluses.,Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder has not been established.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis due to conflicting evidence regarding whether a pre-existing condition existed prior to service and if it worsened during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to complex medical issues and insufficient opinions. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining an advisory opinion from a medical expert on whether CVID is related to exposure at Camp Lejeune and whether headaches are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Additionally, the claims for polyarthritis and gastric disability are being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of effective dates for service connection due to lack of evidence showing earlier claims. The Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incorrect interpretation of facts regarding the Veteran's low back condition.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, headaches, and a psychiatric disability. The lumbar spine osteoarthritis case is still pending with an effective date issue.

The Veteran's PTSD, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and other specific trauma and stressor-related disorder are granted. Service connection is also established for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right leg disability, cellulitis, telangiectasia, photoaging, sebaceous hyperplasia, actinic keratosis, and herpes. An effective date earlier than July 22, 2015 for left lower leg laceration with infection and drainage is denied.