Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for arthritis of the right hand, including rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis due to insufficient examination findings in the prior decision.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current neck disability is related to his in-service whiplash-type injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to November 2, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical examination evidence, and a new VA examination is required for the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with chondrocalcinosis.

The Veteran's ocular histoplasmosis of both eyes is granted as service-connected. The claim for initial higher ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis status-post arthroscopic surgery with residual scars remains on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issues. The Board also noted that new VA examinations are needed for some of the disabilities on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation and a higher rating for his left hip disability, as well as service connection for a low back disability. The VA is instructed to obtain updated medical evidence and conduct new examinations of the Veteran's hips and back.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, but his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine resulted in a decreased range of motion but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The disability was rated at 10 percent from September 20, 2007 to January 2, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left hip disabilities have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeals by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for pelvic disability, hypertension, and lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal stenosis, and IVDS. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between his sleep disorder and tinnitus, as well as the etiology of his left hand disorders. The Veteran will need additional examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran is also having his right shoulder and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome evaluated as they have not been examined in over a year.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service or their relationship to his service-connected shell fragment wound.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete reasoning in a previous VA opinion and the need for additional private treatment records. The Veteran's left shoulder disorder may be related to service, but more evidence is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and unspecified depressive disorder rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 30, 2010. The Board granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee disabilities and the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran is also required to be provided with a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disability, calcium deposit, and lumbosacral spine disability due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle disability pre-existed service and if it was aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities. The case is being returned for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.