Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The case is back before the Board.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical evidence linking the Veteran's current knee disability to his service. The Veteran needs to be examined by VA to determine if there is a connection between his knee pain during service and his current osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including back and knee disabilities, hearing loss, sleep apnea, and hypertension. The examination is required for these cases due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of recent medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knee, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of its onset during military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including ratings for osteoarthritis and radiculopathy of both upper extremities. The TDIU issue is also on hold until further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and skin disorder, but granted service connection for urticaria. The ratings for knee disabilities were restored, and the rating for migraine headaches was reduced.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent for left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear with residual scars, and separate ratings of 10 percent each for painful motion during extension (DC 5261) and left knee instability. The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and consideration of her claims, including the issue of TDIU which is inextricably intertwined with her spine and headache disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis has been rated at 10 percent since March 30, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the maximum schedular rating, and his avitaminosis and chronic fatigue syndrome claims are denied. The Board finds that a remand is necessary for further examination regarding his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep apnea.,The Veteran's service connection claims for fibromyalgia, avitaminosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome are denied. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding his sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis but has remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations to determine if the Veteran's service-connected scleroderma disability manifests with other disabilities and whether any non-service-connected disabilities are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected condition. The claim will be readjudicated after these examinations.

The Veteran's increased rating and initial disability ratings for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips and migraines has been reopened.,Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his tinnitus, lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, left ankle sprain, and dermatitis. The Board will consider the evidence in light of the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 17, 2004 for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from October 15, 2018 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder strain with radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the spine with spondylosis, and cervical spine degenerative disc disease.