Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected major muscle group pain associated with ischemic heart disease is granted as secondary to his back and joint pain.,However, the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for major muscle group pain was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and for a TDIU prior to January 28, 2011. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions, specifically failing to schedule and conduct a VA examination as requested in January 2020.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection and evaluations for various conditions are remanded due to need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain with impingement is granted a rating of 20 percent from December 11, 2012. Other service-connected conditions are denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and colon polyps due to additional development needed. The Veteran's attorney was advised that VA treatment records from Albuquerque VAMC need to be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the current record does not contain an adequate nexus opinion or sufficient evidence to determine whether the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's bilateral knee claims are remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine was granted. The appeal is granted in part, as the Veteran's left knee patellar tendonitis with limitation of flexion and osteoarthritis and right knee patellar tendonitis with limitation of flexion and osteoarthritis are both remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and its associated conditions, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, right ankle strain, and right elbow degenerative arthritis are all granted service connection. The decision is based on the current disability, in-service injury or disease, and a nexus between them.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding no evidence of disease or injury in service and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for lumbar strain with lumbar degenerative arthritis and 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate prior VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left hip arthritis, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions and missing SSA records.

The Board denied reopening the claim for a neck disorder and denied TDIU, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and bilateral foot disorders due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions manifested during or within one year after his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to December 3, 2013 and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,From December 3, 2013, the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability was denied. A separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted.

All issues on appeal are remanded for further development and consideration. The Veteran's hypertension is found to be due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam.,The Veteran's chronic bladder cystitis is remanded as the VA examination did not address this issue.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left hip and bilateral MTP joints are considered subsequent manifestations of his already service-connected arthritis, left knee. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for arthritis, left knee is remanded due to lack of compliance with VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease and as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, has been resolved. The issue is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her active service.