Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for acute cholecystitis and degenerative arthritis of the neck, finding that new evidence did not support reopening the claims or establish a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee and right ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.,These cases involve multiple issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not yet fully decided, as they have been remanded multiple times. The case is now being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine osteoarthritis and chronic lumbar strain, both prior to their respective effective dates. The case is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions during the relevant periods.

The Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee, lumbar spine, left shoulder, and left rib disabilities. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for these examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease with osteoarthritis in both knees and his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold criteria for a TDIU, and his combined rating is 40 percent. The Board finds that referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection and an initial rating of 30 percent for residuals of a left groin disability, as well as granting service connection for multiple conditions including bilateral shoulder disabilities, low back disability, left hip disability, right knee condition, and left ankle condition. The Veteran's PTSD is also rated at the maximum schedular level (70 percent) since May 22, 2018.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including limitation of flexion and extension, instability, and meniscus tear, is rated at a 60 percent since January 30, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back injury and neurobehavioral effects, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and replacement surgery, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and the need for a more complete evaluation of the Veteran's thoracic spine disability, including consideration of functional limitations during flare-ups.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back condition and remanded the issues of service connection for right hand, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain, back disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorder, left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis have all been denied. The claim for allergic rhinosinusitis was previously denied but is being reviewed de novo.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations as the appellant's representative requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis due to insufficient rationale in the VA medical opinions provided. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development on several service connection claims.