Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development and evaluation of her service-connected left knee, left ankle, right knee reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and low back disabilities due to inadequate prior examinations.

The Veteran's right knee strain is granted a 10% rating. The left knee osteochondritis dissecans and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder was reopened and granted. He is now entitled to VA compensation for osteoarthritis, status post total arthroplasty, of the right and left knees.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease to which the current diagnosis may relate.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective June 12, 2017. The back disability and radiculopathy are both rated at 10%. These ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's right hip disability, which includes osteoarthritis and a residual of a right hip fracture, is rated at 10 percent. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in previous VA opinions and the need for a new examination to determine if the Veteran currently has a cervical spine disability or associated functional loss, as well as whether any such disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected spine condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for non-degenerative arthritis and fibromyalgia, both of which are related to herbicide exposure. The case is returned for further development including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, finding that it is related to his military service as a search and rescue crew member.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis has been withdrawn, and the Board no longer has jurisdiction to decide that claim. The cases of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, multiple myeloma, and heart condition are remanded due to lack of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tear, finding that these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board found no CUE in the November 2008 rating decision that granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and hypertension, both with non-compensable ratings. The Veteran's arguments were deemed to be disagreements as to how the facts were weighed or evaluated.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses associated with dental treatment to and from the VAMC in West Haven, Connecticut is denied as he was not entitled to such payments due to VA regulations requiring reimbursement from his points of entry into the United States.

The Board has granted service connection for right thumb degenerative arthritis, left thumb degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder degenerative changes with instability. The decision is based on credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service in Afghanistan.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence of record regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability throughout the period on appeal. The Veteran underwent surgery in October 2016, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder and left wrist osteoarthritis status post fracture are not service-connected.,The Veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist osteoarthritis status post fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his TDIU claim and a completed VA Form 21-8940. The Board also finds that an increased rating for his right shoulder disability is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, which includes degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), finding that it is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and needs a more thorough opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee arthritis.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hip and shoulder conditions as they are related to a service-connected knee condition, due to the Veteran's death.