Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the aggravation of the left knee disability by the service-connected right knee disability is more likely than not.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis with a meniscal tear as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine with lumbar strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right hip degenerative arthritis is related to his military service. The examiner needs to provide a new opinion addressing all pertinent evidence and the Veteran's lay statements.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is related to noise exposure in service and granted service connection. However, the right knee disability issue requires additional evidence due to a lack of complete service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for agoraphobia with panic disorder with insomnia and thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis. However, the right ankle disability issue is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error regarding left hand degenerative arthritis and a need for VA treatment records related to right wrist surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 10, 2017 and since March 10, 2017 for degenerative arthritis of the spine due to inadequate VA examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, postural tremor of the left hand, postural tremor of the right upper extremity, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bipolar disorder, are being granted increased ratings. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing the issues of attorney fees and increased disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU and DEA benefits was denied as there were no prior claims or inferred claims of entitlement to these benefits prior to March 1, 2017. The effective dates for the grants are set at March 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between current osteoarthritis and service. The Veteran's active service is believed to have caused joint pain shortly after service, but there are missing records that need to be reviewed by a clinician.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis, and its relationship to his service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Veteran's right wrist condition was rated at 20% from October 1, 2009. The reduction to 10% is granted and the denial of increased ratings for both conditions are upheld.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis based on continuous post-service symptoms, finding that the Veteran's in-service injuries created a predisposition to arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including myopia, left and right wrist disorders, left and right ankle disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, ulcers, a right quadricep disorder, asthma, Lupus (Collagen Vascular Disease and Polyarthritis), osteoporosis with osteopenia, left hand and finger disorders, right hand and finger disorders, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hammer toes, right foot hammer toes, anemia, and skin disorder. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of migraine headaches, osteoarthritis, cervical spine, and a respiratory condition for further medical evaluation due to incomplete or insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's lower back disorder and left knee disability have been granted service connection. The right hip and right knee issues are still under review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left eye aphakia is granted. From June 26, 2008 to January 7, 2010, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms are rated at 70 percent and from January 7, 2010, his PTSD symptoms are rated at 100 percent.