Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's knee disabilities, as the current examination reports do not include all necessary findings for joint testing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's right shoulder disability claim is being sent back for further development, including obtaining STRs from Reserve service, VA treatment records, and an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, GERD, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, fracture of the left distal fibula and tibia, and bowel incontinence is granted. An effective date prior to September 27, 2006 for PTSD with alcohol use disorder is denied. A rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder from December 12, 2013 through May 19, 2017 is denied. An earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status prior to May 19, 2017 is also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbosacral epidural abscess, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, left ankle osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss were incurred during active duty service or active duty for training. The Board remanded to obtain additional records and conduct further medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is etiologically related to his time in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is caused or aggravated by her service-connected bilateral pes planus and right shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded. Additionally, his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder secondary to his service-connected conditions has also been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted a 20 percent rating since December 18, 2018. He also received separate 10 percent ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of increased disability evaluations and service connection. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to evaluate his shoulder and back disabilities, as well as a PTSD examination and an evaluation of his claimed tremors.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding ratings and service connection for various foot conditions, shoulder disabilities, and a cervical spine strain. The claims are dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition, diagnosed as left shoulder impingement, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear, and myofascial pain. The right shoulder condition is also granted.,Issues regarding increased ratings for knee conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's headaches began during service and have continued to the present, with credible testimony supporting in-service onset. The Board granted service connection for headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are linked to her in-service service based on continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate rationale in the VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The examiner did not consider post-service treatment records, which suggest the Veteran sought medical attention for his shoulder injury multiple times after service.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to severe symptoms equivalent to amputation of the great toe.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis and patellar spurring of the right knee, as well as obstructive sleep apnea, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis, status-post hip replacement, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for cervical spine and lower back disabilities, finding that these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected sarcoidosis and Sjogren’s Syndrome.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and thoracic spine degenerative arthritis have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran’s attorney.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and treatment records.,An effective date prior to January 2, 2016, is denied for all awards of service connection.