Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is not service-connected and was not caused by VA treatment, resulting in a denial of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to incomplete examination and potential separate evaluations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right knee disorder are related to service, but further examination is needed to establish a clear etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and an acquired psychiatric disability (schizophrenia) due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his current disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus and left foot hallux valgus status post McBride bunionectomy with osteoarthritis were denied as his conditions did not manifest until after the effective date of May 1, 2018.,The claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability was reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial in October 2013.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disorder, finding no credible evidence of an in-service injury and concluding that the current condition is not related to any incident during military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of proper notification for VA examinations and requests further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling new examinations.

The Board has denied increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, hallux rigidus of the left foot, and hallux rigidus of the right foot. The spine disability is remanded due to inadequate examination. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder was received within one year of the December 2009 rating decision. The Board found that no new and material evidence had been submitted, making the August 1984, April 2002, and December 2009 decisions final. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder was remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis, claimed as neck, back, and shoulder condition. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to a truck accident during service.

The Veteran's left knee joint osteoarthritis with chondromalacia, status-post meniscal tear is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of extension. A separate 10 percent rating has been granted for painful limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's neck disability, including spina bifida and scoliosis, was not shown to be aggravated by service. The Board found that the preexisting condition did not worsen during service or after separation.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip and right hip, finding a continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's statements regarding his hip pain are considered credible.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on instability, painful motion, or degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an adequate VA examination for the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, as the previous examination was inadequate.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and osteoarthritis of the left knee have been denied since April 26, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral recurrent tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for right ankle disability including osteoarthritis due to a clear and unmistakable error in attributing an injury to the left ankle.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent for limitation of flexion. A separate compensable rating of 20 percent, but not higher, has been granted for frequent episodes of pain and swelling/locking since October 13, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service.