Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, finding that there is at least a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were submitted in December 2015, but the AOJ must attempt to locate and transfer any earlier VA treatment records from July 2013 to June 2014. The case is remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating for marked limitation of motion. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his left knee disability and hypothyroidism. The Board finds a need to obtain clarification of the etiology of the Veteran’s reported symptoms and their relationship, if any, to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the bilateral lower extremities and a lung disorder, to include COPD. The case will be returned to the Board for further action based on additional evidence and examination findings.

The Board has decided to remand several service connection and increased rating claims due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis was found to be at its worst prior to August 23, 2017, when he had forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 80 degrees. The Board determined that this did not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension is not compensable.,The Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis with impairment of the thigh is rated at 10 percent.,Service connection for PTSD has been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records, particularly those from 1978 onwards. The Veteran's knee condition is being reviewed again with a new examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral hip disabilities, finding the evidence at least in equipoise regarding their etiology. The Veteran's active service as a paratrooper is considered in determining the cause of his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional clinical records from VistA. The Veteran's spine degenerative arthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and sinus disability are still under review.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and left knee, but denied any effective date prior to February 23, 2009.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by painful motion and limited range of motion, was granted a rating of 30 percent effective August 28, 2018. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to that date was denied. A TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine were granted service connection. The right and left knee disabilities were denied, but an earlier effective date for the low back disability was granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was granted, with a 30 percent rating effective September 21, 2011. The issue of radiculopathy associated with this condition is also remanded.,Service connection for left knee disorder and right ankle disorder are both denied. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle strain, left foot plantar fasciitis, and lumbar spine disorder (scoliosis and degenerative arthritis) as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle strain, left foot plantar fasciitis, and lumbar spine disorder (scoliosis and degenerative arthritis) as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis and sciatica of the left and right lower extremities were not granted service connection as they did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, were not chronic in service, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity was not granted service connection as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, was not chronic in service, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The Veteran's sciatica of the right lower extremity was not granted service connection as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, was not chronic in service, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.