Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his chip fracture of the coccyx and degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome lumbar spine were denied. The Veteran was previously granted a temporary total disability evaluation based on housebound status, but the maximum benefits have not been awarded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that there are no clear errors in the previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability (including strain and arthritis), left knee disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient examination findings and lack of nexus opinions.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent since May 1, 2012. The Veteran’s left knee osteoarthritis was initially rated as 10 percent prior to August 14, 2012 and then increased to 40 percent between August 14, 2012 and August 8, 2017.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's intestinal condition, diagnosed as diverticulosis, is granted service connection. The initial rating for her degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder remains at 20%.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of low back disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate addressing of whether the preexisting left wrist disability increased in severity or was aggravated by service, and if so, whether clear and unmistakable evidence shows that any increase in severity was caused not by service but by the natural progress of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right and left 11th cranial nerves, right and left ankle disabilities, and thoracic strain with degenerative arthritis are all rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hypertension and coronary artery disease. The cases are being returned for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to limitations in range of motion testing. The issues related to left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also remanded as they may be impacted by the results from these examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's lumbar joint disease with degenerative arthritis of the spine is being reviewed for a higher disability rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left elbow disability, finding that there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to any in-service injury or event.,However, the Board granted service connection for a left hip disability (diagnosed as osteoarthritis), concluding that the preponderance of the evidence supports this finding.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a cold injury of the bilateral feet and denied initial ratings higher than 20 percent for residuals of a cold injury of the left hand with osteoarthritis and residuals of a cold injury of the right hand with osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development. The Board finds no basis for granting any of the requested benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of private treatment records, and need for additional opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right knee condition, but denied the underlying claim as there is no evidence that the current condition began during or was otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the mental health condition issue. The decision is pending further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and remanded the TDIU claim until his knee disabilities have been rated.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left knee strain, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is asked to provide information about his treatment locations during the appeal period.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the hips and knees as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.