Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome with tendinitis, finding that his current condition is etiologically related to his time in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee disability was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right hip disability. The AOJ is instructed to obtain an addendum medical opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's right foot and left foot disabilities are denied as they did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking them to service.,The Veteran's left hip disability (osteoarthritis) is granted as the evidence is in relative equipoise with regard to its relation to service. However, his skin cancer is denied due to lack of a nexus between it and service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as his psychiatric disorder and sleep disorder, are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left shoulder disabilities, right wrist, left wrist, right ankle, left ankle, hernia, joint pain, and prostate cancer. The Veteran's prostate cancer was not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's hypertension, left knee degenerative arthritis, and concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI) are all being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine and at least six weeks of incapacitating episodes in any 12-month period, is rated at 50 percent effective October 21, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for bilateral glaucoma, to include as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The claim for an earlier effective date for osteoarthritis of the left knee was denied because the earliest date entitlement arose is October 31, 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a cervical spine disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that his preexisting right knee condition did not worsen during service and was not incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased evaluation of the Veteran's right shoulder disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing aggravation. The VA is required to obtain additional evidence and provide a new examination.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations, and new examinations are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to a need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, including subluxation of the right patella, medial and lateral meniscus tear, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, was granted. The Board found that his pre-existing condition existed prior to service but was aggravated by in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding functional loss and flare-ups, as well as a determination of whether fecal incontinence is related to service-connected IVDS.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and updated treatment records. The issue of SMC based on need for aid and attendance is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Board denied service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, as well as other conditions. The Veteran's current right and left shoulder osteoarthritis were not found to be related to his active service.