Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, were granted with effective dates set at October 25, 2017. However, these decisions are being remanded due to additional evidence not having been considered.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and unspecified cerebral ischemia are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right hip and right knee disabilities.,The Board finds that further development, including a new VA examination by an examiner other than the one who conducted the December 2019 examination, is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right hip and right knee conditions.

The Board has determined that a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is not warranted based on current medical evidence, as the Veteran's range of motion and symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's back disability was previously rated at 40%, and the RO reduced it to 20%. The Veteran requested restoration of his original rating, which was granted. However, a higher rating is still needed due to potential worsening since the last examination in 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis with residual scars status post surgery from July 7, 2010.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are denied increased ratings. Other service connection claims have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her thoracolumbar spine disability and for additional retroactive CRDP payments. The claims are being returned to VA for further development, including obtaining an updated examination and conducting another audit of the Veteran’s account.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification regarding the Veteran's use of assistive devices and the presence of knee instability. The claims are being remanded for a new examination with an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's appeals include requests for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates for service connection. The Board has determined that the issues should be remanded due to new evidence submitted after a final decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and issues related to increased ratings for shoulder disabilities and TDIU.

Your claim for a back condition has been dismissed because another decision granted you service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for various issues related to his spine, wrist, and hip conditions due to new evidence submitted after a previous decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the spine was denied, and his claim for a 30 percent rating for right ankle degenerative arthritis was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee on a direct basis, finding that these conditions are as likely as not attributable to in-service injuries sustained while parachuting.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, left shoulder arthritis, digestive issues (chronic constipation), and low back condition with lower extremity neuropathy were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period. Continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating authorized under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is related to service or secondary to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for left knee osteoarthritis, status post knee replacement, since March 1, 2019 was denied. However, the Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability since March 1, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, right knee, and both shoulders. The decision on the right knee is pending as it was remanded.,Service connection will be granted if the evidence demonstrates that a current disability resulted from an injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand condition, including carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence of chronic hand conditions in service or within a presumptive period following separation. The Board also found that post-service employment was more likely than not responsible for the current symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right thumb degenerative arthritis (previously diagnosed as tenosynovitis) due to new evidence and need for further examination.