Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that clarification of the medical evidence is necessary before appellate review and these matters are REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for osteoarthritis of the knees, feet, and acute cholecystitis (also claimed as cholelithiasis) due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for a current examination to determine the severity of his service-connected left knee replacement residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have at least as likely as not prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since June 22, 2011. The Board has referred the case to the Director, Compensation Service, for an initial determination of whether TDIU is warranted on an extra-schedular basis prior to June 22, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee disabilities require additional examination and records to determine their current severity, as well as SSA disability benefits records. The issues of higher initial ratings for his knee disabilities and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and dizziness need further examination and opinion to determine if they are related to her military service. The issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as a cervical spine disability due to incomplete medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is asked to provide additional evidence from his doctors regarding the causal link between his current disabilities and his service or an already service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to higher ratings for left and right knee strain due to a lack of adequate examination findings, particularly regarding range of motion testing.

The Board has decided that a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis, left hip, status post total joint replacement, is related to his service as a U-2 pilot and the high altitude flying he experienced. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for chronic left and right knee pain with osteoarthritis, as there is no evidence of limitation of flexion or extension to a degree that would warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to incomplete examinations, lack of proper measurements, and the need for additional opinions regarding his psychiatric disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right hand is being remanded due to new evidence submitted after the SOC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his right wrist osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis was aggravated by her service-connected right knee disability. The case will be returned for further examination and a determination on this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition, cervical spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's lumbar osteoarthritis was granted a higher rating of 40 percent prior to October 15, 2018. A rating in excess of 40 percent for the condition beginning October 15, 2018 is denied. The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with lumbar osteoarthritis was granted a 10 percent rating and remains unchanged. TDIU is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, a respiratory condition, and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examinations and missing records. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral leg limitation is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence since the last decision.