Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected knee disabilities and low back disability. The issues of higher initial ratings for his right and left knee conditions, as well as service connection for a low back disability, are being remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 40 percent, but the Board denied a higher rating and TDIU due to lack of ankylosis outside favorable or loss of use.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The appellant's left knee osteoarthritis claim remains in appellate status, while his generalized anxiety disorder claim requires a new examination.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability as the evidence did not show a chronic in-service injury or disease, and there was no continuity of symptomatology. The VA examiner found that the current low back condition is not related to an in-service injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current knee problems to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues include increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD with IVDS, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic back condition or disability in service and that his current diagnoses were not related to any in-service injury. The VA examiners' opinions were considered probative.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis and right shoulder disability are not found to be related to service, while his acquired psychiatric disorder is being reviewed further.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the April 2019 VA examination. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional treatment records from various sources.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right and left thumbs, as well as his index, middle, ring, and little fingers, have been granted a 10 percent rating each. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his left knee conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for migraines was denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for back disability and prostate cancer were both remanded due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings related to PTSD, radiculopathy of both upper extremities, meralgia paresthetica of both lower extremities, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The issues were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ring finger disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limited motion or painful motion of the ring finger.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed right arm disability, which he contends is secondary to his service-connected right ring finger fracture with degenerative arthritis, was also denied by the Board.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities, including increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left knee and right knee degenerative arthritis, as well as limitations on extension of both knees. The remand requires additional examinations to address functional loss due to flare-ups and repeated use.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, evaluation of residuals of a right acromioclavicular joint separation, and whether the reduction in the rating for residuals of a left ankle osteochondral fracture was proper. The appeals are pending and will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis. The condition is considered to be etiologically related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with a previous court decision regarding knee examination reports. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA knee examination to assess his right knee conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee condition (osteoarthritis) and a left knee scar, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.