Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle, bilateral knee, and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records, need for clarification of manifestations and treatment, and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for left hip osteoarthritis was reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for low back disability was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, earlier effective date, and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for acid reflux, hypertension, and degenerative arthritis with IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hallux valgus, as well as his increased rating claims for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot disability and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis was not found to meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating prior to November 10, 2009. From November 10, 2009 to March 6, 2013, he received a 10 percent rating. The 20 percent rating from March 7, 2013 to April 2, 2015 was granted. Since then, the Veteran's condition has not met or approximated the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), increased initial disability ratings for his lumbar spine, cervical spine, migraine headaches, dysphagia, and right shoulder conditions, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of April 26, 2016. The Board granted an effective date of April 26, 2016 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various acquired psychiatric, cardiac, erectile dysfunction, thyroid, sleep apnea, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders was denied. The Board found no current disabilities in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for deep peroneal nerve neuropathy, chronic ankle sprain, degenerative arthritis of the tibiotalar joint, hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, and chevron bunionectomy with left foot and ankle reconstruction.

The initial rating for radiculopathy and muscle damage has been withdrawn. The back disability remains denied with a current rating of 20%. Service connection for an acquired mental disorder is being remanded.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed due to the lack of a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder is related to his military service. The case will be returned for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of traumatic brain injury, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, and erectile dysfunction have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request. The remaining issues were adjudicated and decisions were made on them.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her previously denied claims for left hip pain and osteoarthritis, back condition, and right hip osteoarthritis was granted. The cases were remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the service connection of herpes of the face, lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder.

The Board has denied a higher initial rating for the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis, finding that her symptoms do not meet or approximate unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The left shoulder disability was remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current L4-5 and L5-S1 lumbar spine osteoarthritis was incurred in service, granting service connection for this condition.