Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, granting service connection for a right knee condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's neck disability, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected OSA or if it was incurred in service. The VA must obtain medical records and provide an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disabilities are related to his military service. The case will be sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, including DDD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence of chronic in-service injury or disease, and that the current condition is not related to an in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence supports attributing the current disability to natural aging rather than service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for left knee disability was granted. However, the claims for both right and left knee disabilities were denied as there is no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and instability were evaluated at non-compensable levels prior to February 24, 2020. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's right knee instability was rated at 10 percent from October 23, 2017 to February 24, 2020. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's right total knee replacement has been assigned a 30 percent disability rating since April 1, 2021. The claim for a higher rating is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right hip replacement, and left hip replacement as there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the evaluation of the Veteran's right knee baker's cyst and his claim for TDIU, as there are inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating and TDIU for his service-connected IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a greater than 40 percent disability rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions regarding an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected chip fracture.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, tension headaches, and scars of the bilateral shoulders and knees due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his right knee condition and left lower extremity neurological condition.,The Veteran has multiple conditions that were found to be related to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its November 2019 remand directives and has therefore ordered another remand to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that his current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding no in-service injury or disease and insufficient continuity of symptoms to establish chronic arthritis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service treatment records are missing and incomplete, leading to inadequate VA examinations based on incorrect factual premises. The Board is remanding the case for further development including obtaining missing STRs and providing proper notice.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, osteoarthritis and for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD. The decision found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service and that the current disabilities were not related to service.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 10 percent for service-connected left knee condition and right knee degenerative arthritis. The issue of increased rating for hypothyroidism is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on housebound status is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis has been granted service connection, but the rating assigned is 10 percent. The Board has found a duty to assist issue related to the March 2014 VA examination and has ordered a new examination.