Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left hip conditions, as well as his right thigh impairment, are being remanded due to the need for more contemporaneous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and related radiculopathies have been remanded for further evaluation. Service connection has also been granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right hip disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his service-connected right knee disability and that his hip condition did not worsen due to his knee condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and disability compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for carpel tunnel syndrome of the right hand, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations in determining the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected back and right knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, as her current medical records do not provide sufficient information.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted, and his acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis of the left shoulder is at least as likely as not related to in-service injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a right hip disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of osteoarthritis of the left and right hips, left and right knee conditions, and DDD of the cervical spine as secondary to lumbosacral degenerative disease were denied.,PTSD was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence, specifically regarding his lumbar spine disability, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and potential neurologic abnormalities. The case is also remanded to obtain SSA records related to the Veteran’s application for benefits.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's claim for payment of VA disability benefits for August 2018 is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and tension headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that more information is needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left ankle, low back, and left knee disabilities. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right great toe and right knee. However, the issues of service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD, hypertension, and ED as secondary to hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities are remanded. The Board also finds that the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic mycotic (fungal) infection and osteoarthritis of the hands and arms have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disability. The Veteran's radiculopathy claims were granted, but his other claims remain pending.

The Board has remanded the claims due to errors in obtaining records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran's right shoulder, back, and bilateral knee disabilities need further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for anxiety disorder was dismissed.,His claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted, restoring the previously reduced 40% rating.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for undiagnosed Gulf War illness and PTSD, as well as rating increases for various knee conditions. The Veteran was not provided proper due process prior to the discontinuance of his right knee osteoarthritis disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the addition of VA treatment records and the need to consider these new documents before making a decision.