Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to lack of recent VA examinations and the Veteran's assertion that his conditions have worsened.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee, midfoot and tibiotalar joint degenerative changes with anterior osteophyte of the distal tibia and calcaneal spurring of the left ankle, and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, most prominent at L4-L5, have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA foot conditions examination. The examiner is to provide opinions regarding whether the Veteran's foot condition had its onset in or is otherwise related to service, and whether pes planus increased in severity during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for clarification of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right, left knee disabilities and cervical spine disability. Additionally, the Board has also granted service connection for radiculopathy of the arms and legs secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability and a right knee disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral foot conditions. The cases are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has decided that a remand is needed for further examination and evaluation of the Veteran's left knee conditions, as his condition may have worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted as secondary to service-connected ankle disabilities. The Veteran's muscle spasms disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a bilateral foot disability other than left foot fracture residuals, including pes planus, hallux valgus, and left foot arthritis. An initial rating of 10 percent is also granted for the Veteran's left foot fracture residuals.

The appeal for service connection for leukopenia is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis, left shoulder osteoarthritis with chronic tendonitis and impingement syndrome, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, right knee chondromalacia of the patella, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis are secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disorders, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines and lumbosacral strain are being remanded due to improper adjudication under the AMA system. The RO must correct this, readjudicate the claims, and provide a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury was granted. The claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right hip strain, and lumbar spine osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for consideration by the Director of Compensation Service due to his service-connected disabilities impacting his ability to work prior to October 22, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, including arthritis and osteoarthritis, is granted. The evidence shows that the Veteran had degenerative joint disease in both hips during service and continues to have symptoms since then.

The Veteran's service-connected compression fractures to T12 and L2 are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected back disability is granted, but the case is remanded for further development regarding TDIU and service connection for cause of death.