Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hip, cirrhosis of liver, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension due to new relevant medical evidence. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues, including increased evaluations for various spine and joint conditions, as well as service connection for asthma. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The issue of service connection for residuals of a left arm fracture is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities did not have their onset in service or within one year of separation from active duty and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's right knee enthesopathy and osteoarthritis, as well as his right ankle sprain.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbar fusion L4-L5 and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been denied.,For the lumbar spine, the criteria for a higher rating are not met as the flexion is greater than 30 degrees but not more than 60 degrees.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a back disability due to insufficient development and an inadequate opinion from the VA examiner. The case will be returned for further examination and analysis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports and the need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic in-service injury or disease and that the current condition is not related to any in-service event.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis is granted. The claims for service connection for unspecified anxiety and right knee osteoarthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's left acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected GSW to the left shoulder. The rating for residuals of a GSW to the left shoulder remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's low back disability, including any degenerative arthritis. The examiner is asked to address whether there is radiculopathy related to the lumbar spine disability and determine if it is due to a cervical spine disorder instead. Additionally, the examiner should evaluate whether the service-connected low back syndrome caused or aggravated any other lumbar spine disorders (other than low back syndrome).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right shoulder, right hand, back, right knee, left knee, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear evidence.,Service connection will be further evaluated based on additional evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's right and left knee instability are rated at 10 percent each, effective July 31, 2014. Ratings for degenerative arthritis of the knees remain at 10 percent each since December 10, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with strain. The initial evaluation for allergic rhinitis remains granted at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disabilities, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives.