Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination, and requests that another one be scheduled. The Veteran's right hip disorders are being evaluated for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the need for additional examination and clarification of certain aspects.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was reopened, and the case is remanded for further development. The Veteran's PTSD rating remains under review.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's disabilities have reportedly worsened since his last examination in June 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's right hip disability, including a lack of x-rays confirming osteoarthritis and an inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, including from the Iowa City VAMC and SSA records. Additionally, new examinations are needed for his left wrist disability and scars.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been granted, but the specific conditions are not related to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and traumatic brain injury are denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral hip disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of erectile dysfunction. The claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied, and the claim for cervical spine strain as secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right ankle disability is granted, with a 20% rating effective from April 25, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for HIV-related illness is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease, with lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The claim for a right hip disability was denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred in service or related to service-connected conditions. The claim for a left great toe disability was also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee condition, and right knee degenerative arthritis in a communication received by the Board in March 2019.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted as service connection, as it has been shown to have its onset in service.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip condition, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active service or any in-service injury. The Board also found no evidence of secondary service connection due to his service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the veteran's lumbar spine disability, as there are indications that his symptoms may have worsened since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability was granted a 10% rating prior to December 11, 2014 and denied any increase in rating for the period following that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and PTSD, as well as the need to obtain additional medical records.