Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for left wrist condition, low back disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for coronary artery disease and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD) are being remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent for the period from June 25, 2014 to June 6, 2018.,For the period after June 6, 2018, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and because of the need to consider service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his right and left hip disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature of his current ankle disability, as well as the severity of his hip disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several conditions has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is entitled to increased ratings for his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, neurogenic bladder condition, and sciatic nerve conditions are all rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The right ankle and right knee disabilities have also been granted increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's foot disabilities, specifically pes planus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disability, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss disorder, tinnitus, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to their complexity or need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral foot disability other than pes planus due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that her current condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 0 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee, with limitation of extension, is being remanded due to additional evidence that has been added to the record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee due to conflicting reports about pain during flare-ups and an inability to fully adjudicate the claim without additional information.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The issues include evaluating his post-operative residuals, dislocation of the AC joint, and entitlement to an extraschedular evaluation and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability and related radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's right knee disorder and his service-connected left knee disability, as well as obesity.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, lumbar radiculopathy, and left ankle arthritis due to in-service parachute jumps as a paratrooper.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's service treatment records and his lay statements regarding in-service knee injuries. The case will be returned for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as the evidence did not show a nexus to his active duty.,Claims for increased ratings were also denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran failed to cooperate with VA examinations and thus waived review of additional records.