Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development, including a new VA examination to evaluate the current level of severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected mental health disorder. His bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity, and no nexus to service has been established.

The Board has found that the Veteran missed scheduled examinations for his claimed conditions and has ordered them to be rescheduled. The claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the shoulders, spine, hips, knees, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent, and her right knee instability and limitation of extension are each separately rated. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are rated based on their current manifestations. The rating for his back disability is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while the separate rating for his radiculopathy remains proper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and low back disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the original decision. The VA is required to provide an addendum opinion on whether there is a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining a clarification opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining the Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records and readjudicating his service connection claims.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar strain prior to October 10, 2014 and granted a 20 percent rating from that date. The case is remanded for further action on service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and back disabilities have been denied. The lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis are all rated as they currently stand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and inadequate opinions regarding his lower back condition and acquired psychiatric conditions. Additional evidence is needed, including SSA medical records and private treatment records from Drs. H.J.C.M. and A.L.P.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right hip and knee conditions due to their inextricably intertwined nature with the low back claim. The VA must examine whether any neurological abnormalities are attributable to the low back, and if so, whether there is a separate disability of the right hip or knee causing pain with functional loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of clarity in the previous decision and the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral foot calluses were denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee arthritis is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and posttraumatic left knee degenerative joint disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis and to obtain private treatment records from Dr. J.P. and Paradigm Orthopedics.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee pain (osteoarthritis) and left knee pain (s/p total knee replacement) due to a lack of contemporaneous medical evidence. The Veteran and his spouse provided testimony regarding their belief that the Veteran injured his knees during service, but did not seek treatment.