Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the claims for service connection for a left hip disability and a left shoulder disability, both secondary to service-connected right knee disability.,There is no direct evidence linking the current disabilities to service or any presumptive conditions.

The Veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis and status post fracture of ulnar styloid have not been found to warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of etiological relationship between the current right knee, left hallux valgus, or left knee conditions and active service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left elbow disorders, granted a 20% rating for degenerative joint disease of the left ankle from November 19, 2019, but denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis and joint disease of the left knee status post arthroscopy.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee condition. The claim will be returned for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left knee disability, previously rated as osteoarthritis status post-meniscus tear repair of the left knee, is now rated at 40 percent effective January 27, 2015 for limited extension and a separate 10 percent rating for limited flexion.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right foot disorder, including pes planus, hammer toes and degenerative arthritis, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left foot callosities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and left arm disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and remanded the issues of initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae and service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is rated at a 20 percent disability rating, and his left ankle surgical scar is rated at a noncompensable (0%) disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active service and does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were inadequate due to not fully complying with Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), and thus remanded these claims.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and granted service connection for radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information provided by the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and left knee disability as they are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the lack of VA treatment records and exposure information. The Board will schedule medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not established for a gastrointestinal disorder, and the Veteran did not meet criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to July 10, 2019, or for degenerative arthritis, left hip from July 10, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service-connected left foot injury or if it developed as a result of active duty service. The VA examiner will need to provide an opinion on these issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's prostate cancer is not service-connected, but his urinary tract condition and left knee joint replacement are being reviewed further.