Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examination and clarification of his intentions regarding the effective date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in the previous decision and the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current spinal stenosis is related to in-service injuries. However, it denied service connection for his bilateral shoulder disability due to a lack of evidence linking his current osteoarthritis to his time in service.,While the Veteran reported experiencing shoulder pain during service while playing basketball, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish that his current bilateral shoulder condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional consideration of new medical evidence, and the RO is instructed to consider this evidence in its review.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for right knee osteoarthritis status post total arthroplasty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and she is now receiving a rating of 70 percent for PTSD. Other conditions are also found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease is found to be secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis.,Prior to October 17, 2018, the Veteran’s left shoulder symptomatology more closely approximated a range of motion deficit as being no greater than shoulder level. From October 17, 2018 and thereafter, the Veteran's left shoulder range of motion was limited to no greater than shoulder level.,Prior to October 17, 2018, the Veteran’s lumbar spine symptomatology more closely approximated a range of motion of greater than 30 degrees of flexion but less than 60 degrees of flexion. From October 17, 2018 and thereafter, the Veteran's lumbar spine range of motion was greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees.,Prior to October 17, 2018, the Veteran demonstrated painful motion of the left ankle. From October 17, 2018 and thereafter, the Veteran demonstrated a moderate limitation of motion of the left ankle.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar disorder, right hip disorder, skin disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders, and hypertension. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant medical records and conduct further examinations and opinions as needed.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted due to continuous low back pain since service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected left knee disability due to new evidence suggesting worsening of her condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left shoulder disorder prior to June 7, 2016 is denied. The appeal for a higher rating for his left total shoulder replacement since August 1, 2017 is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right little finger laceration is denied.,Service connection has been granted for right knee osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis as secondary to right knee osteoarthritis, and low back strain as secondary to right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability as secondary to her left hip disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current back conditions were aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are secondary to his now service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. ,The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service, and his erectile dysfunction is also service connected as it is secondary to his prostate cancer.,Service connection for a right knee disability and left knee disability are remanded.

Service connection for osteoarthritis of the right thumb and obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral eye cataracts is denied, with an effective date set at February 23, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing treatment records. The Veteran's right hand disability is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, low back disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his claim for residuals of a right knee injury.