Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's low back condition is granted service connection. The left knee condition claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims during a Board hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, osteoarthritis of the left hip, and osteoarthritis of the right hip. The decision is based on the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his in-service events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to new evidence or changes in her disability status.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ankle disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for right foot osteoarthritis with calcaneal spur.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations. The claims include compensation for lumbosacral spine disorder, hip disorders, ankle OA, and facial weakness and biting of the tongue.

The Veteran's back condition is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to limited range of motion and no incapacitating episodes in the past year.,The left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, with mild incomplete paralysis. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, so the Board dismissed all issues related to increased disability ratings for left knee conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the issues of service connection for a left shoulder disability, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right ankle condition, and injury to the right eye are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disorder, finding that it was caused by his in-service injury and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for a dermatological condition was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed condition.,The Veteran's DJD right shoulder was granted service connection based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for mitral valve prolapse and degenerative arthritis of the spine, as well as his claim for TDIU due to these disabilities. The decision also notes that a new examination is needed in order to properly assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for a new VA medical opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder is pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for lumbosacral strain/degenerative arthritis of the spine/disc displacement is being remanded due to new evidence added since the last decision in July 2016. The VA Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) Conditions Examination conducted in March 2019 must be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for the Veteran's right fifth finger ankylosis, osteoarthritis, and osteopenia. Additionally, a separate 10 percent rating was granted for symptoms analogous to amputation of the right fifth finger disability.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is rated at 50 percent, hypertension at a non-compensable rating, low back disability and left knee disability are both remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's right and left foot conditions, sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), arthritis (systemic process), right and left shoulder conditions, neck condition, erectile dysfunction, migraines (secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine), and major depressive disorder (secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine) are not found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's DJD of the spine, right lower radiculopathy, and left lower radiculopathy have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee joint osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated as 10% for degenerative arthritis, with separate ratings of 10% for painful limitation of extension. The left knee is granted a higher rating beginning September 30, 2016, while the right knee remains at 10%. The appeal was denied for increased ratings prior to that date.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hand disability, including his diagnosed conditions and potential secondary service connection. The case is being remanded to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.