Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional development, including obtaining more recent treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left leg disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disabilities are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, instability, and meniscus condition were granted a 20% rating from October 15, 2013 to March 17, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability, as well as the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 15, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to service. Additional medical records and an examination are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor were they severe enough to cause him to be housebound.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right knee osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dessicans was denied. The TDIU claim is remanded due to its inextricability with the ongoing increased rating claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The case is therefore being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability prior to November 5, 2005 and during the appeal period. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to provide retrospective range of motion measurements and assess functional impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The decision states that the Veteran's service-connected condition does not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the RO's decision to reduce the Veteran's rating for arthritis of the right ankle from 10% to 0% in November 2001 was correct. The Veteran is seeking service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, which he claims are related to his military service. The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination.

Your claim for service connection for LLE radiculopathy, to include as secondary to a lumbar spine disability has been granted and is effective August 23, 2017. The appeal is dismissed because the claim has been fully resolved.

An effective date of August 15, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the wrists, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by a meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. This rating has been granted since August 27, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and readjudication of his pending appeals. The issues include seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis, status post lumbar spine diskectomies, and entitlement to temporary total ratings based on hospitalization in excess of 21 days and extended convalescence.

The Veteran's right shoulder, back, dermatitis, right ankle, and left upper leg disabilities have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is established based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology. Service connection for the back disability is established due to in-service lifting duties resulting in chronic strain and functional overload. Dermatitis is linked to Gulf War exposure. Right ankle and left upper leg disabilities are secondary to service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, left hip, and neck conditions due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.,Service connection is also not granted for a low back condition, left knee condition, or right shoulder condition as there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of motion limited to midway between his side and shoulder level or to 25 degrees from his side.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities, as well as to ensure compliance with current rating criteria.