Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has ordered the Veteran to undergo a VA examination and to provide all relevant medical records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left elbow degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including range of motion testing during flares.

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, which is claimed to be related to his service-connected pes planus. The examiner must address the Veteran's assertions of wear and tear associated with abnormal weight bearing due to his pes planus, as well as previous VA examination reports and medical literature.

Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knee has been granted.,Service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for her service connection claims have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, and an increase in rating for nephrolithiasis. The issues are also related to his left ankle degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's right knee disability was denied for increased evaluations from December 1, 2008 to October 2, 2017 and since October 2, 2017. A separate rating of 10% is granted for arthritis with painful limited motion in the right knee.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with spinal fusion, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal fusion, and scars (left lower anterior neck and lower back) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for hypertension and evaluation higher than 10 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome status post rotator cuff tear with AC joint osteoarthritis. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to ongoing development of evidence related to his service-connected disabilities, including exposure to chemicals during service.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active duty service. The right knee disability and left knee disability have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.,Service connection for a right testicular varicocele is also granted, with the condition being attributed to an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, back disability (secondary to right knee disabilities), and respiratory condition are all granted. The left knee disability was already granted in a previous decision, so the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, which includes osteoarthritis and left ligament strain, is rated at 20 percent. The decision grants a higher rating than the previous 10 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his service. The previous denial was based on a lack of medical evidence linking the disability to service, but new and material evidence from private practitioners supports this link.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability, right leg fasciotomy disabilities, and left leg fasciotomy disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations that comply with Correia v. McDonald (2016) and Sharp v. Shulkin (2017).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis, to include bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet and hallux valgus (also claimed as bilateral foot problems).,There is no evidence that the Veteran's current cervical spine or bilateral foot conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for further examination and evaluation due to his assertion of increased severity since the last VA examination in October 2015, including flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and low back disability, have rendered him unemployable as of September 5, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current back disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or instability.