Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities as there is no evidence showing a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required to determine if the Veteran's low back condition is related to service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied service connection claim for a head injury was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. A rating of 20 percent is granted for the right lower extremity radiculopathy, but no higher.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right foot metatarsalgia and degenerative arthritis, hallux rigidus of the right great toe have been denied as there is no evidence that their conditions are more severe than what is currently rated under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's medical records and his reports. The VA will obtain additional service personnel records, seek any outstanding treatment records, and provide an addendum opinion on the cause of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with kyphosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his osteoarthritis and the severity of his total right knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and his service, as well as the impact of this issue on his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's right wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The remand also includes consideration of whether an award of total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) should be granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right knee strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (associated with lumbar strain), and mild incomplete paralysis of the left radial nerve.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left shoulder dislocation and osteoarthritis of the left knee are being remanded due to insufficient examination records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees are being remanded due to new evidence not previously considered.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, hypertension, GERD, and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran's arthritis is remanded for further review. TDIU has also been raised.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee osteoarthritis are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to additional development being needed, including obtaining outstanding VA records and scheduling a new examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's back pain and arthritis need further examination and review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee and seizure conditions were denied. The right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia was rated at 10% with separate ratings granted for painful motion of the knees. The complex partial seizures claim was denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to his right knee disability. The claims are being remanded because of insufficient information in the VA examinations, particularly regarding the Veteran’s right knee prior to June 2016 and post total knee replacement surgery.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), spondylolisthesis, and scoliosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and right hip degenerative arthritis are all found to be secondary to the service-connected right fibula disability. The Veteran's right fibula disability is currently rated at 10%.