Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to new evidence received since the last decisions. The AOJ will review this additional evidence and issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including residuals of a low back injury sustained during service, is etiologically related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 27, 2011.

The Veteran's ratings for right and left knee disabilities were restored to 20 percent, effective September 1, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right hand weakness (Carpal tunnel syndrome) is denied, and his increased rating claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination opinions and a need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle degenerative joint disease. The claims for left and right knee disabilities are remanded as the VA examiner is needed to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's right ankle disability.

The Veteran's right knee has been granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, effective March 31, 2008, for service-connected right knee locking and effusion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder strain with osteoarthritis, service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded as there has not been substantial compliance with the prior Board remand directives. Additional development is needed regarding radiation exposure during service.

This decision denies the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and right total knee replacement residuals. The maximum schedular ratings have been granted, but further review is needed to determine if additional benefits are warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot and knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a superimposed injury or disease during service that resulted in additional disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis was not related to his period of active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis, and patellofemoral syndrome. The issues of increased ratings for the lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities have been remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD due to military sexual trauma is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,Service connection for low back disability (lumbar degenerative joint disease) is granted as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, which is claimed as related to an in-service injury.

Your appeal for a higher rating on your right knee arthritis has been dismissed because the Veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, low back disability, and erectile dysfunction have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for hemorrhoidal and knee cream is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA Handbook sections.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, status post total left hip replacement, is granted. The right ankle condition issue has been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that her preexisting condition was not aggravated by her active duty service.