Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, periostitis of each tibia, osteoarthritis of each ankle, and right foot disability (other than pes planus and arthritis). The claims are being remanded to allow for these examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to his in-service neck injury, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and posttraumatic stress disorder. The evaluation for migraine headaches remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for right knee lateral instability, beginning March 10, 2017 is granted. The claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee lateral instability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for numbness in the left lower extremity and degenerative arthritis in the lumbar spine due to potential medical inadequacies in previous VA opinions.,Further examination or opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and information regarding the qualifications of a VA examiner who performed the August 2019 VA examinations related to the Veteran's knee, ankle, and hip conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee ACL tears with joint osteoarthritis, as well as his surgical scars from a right knee replacement. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected left ankle disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, and further evaluation is needed to determine if a lumbar spine disability is related to service or other disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for back injury, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service slip-and-fall incident. The preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s lumbosacral spine disability began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU consideration and his service-connected disabilities preclude him from maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities have been denied, and his claim for a right hip disability (claimed as a right femur disability) has been remanded.,Effective dates for the awards of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination for his left shoulder disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence does not show an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is more likely related to post-service work-related injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his combat service in Vietnam.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA and/or private treatment records, schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination(s) to determine his need for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities, and address whether he meets the criteria for special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for his right thumb disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of his right knee, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for instability of his right knee due to failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee was granted service connection as it had its onset in service and has continued since service.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for an increased rating for lumbar spine arthritis, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for the residuals of a broken sternum, thoracolumbosacral degenerative arthritis, and injuries to the cervical spine and coccyx are granted. The claim for injuries to the coccyx is denied.