Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to additional evidence being added to the claims file and outstanding Privacy Act requests. The Veteran's right shoulder disability claim for increased ratings is pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for a right knee disability and whether pre-existing instability was aggravated by service. The Veteran's lay statements about his service duties are considered in determining the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of the Veteran's lower back condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right ankle degenerative arthritis status post chronic recurrent ankle sprains is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal condition have been granted compensable ratings, with the rating for the meniscal condition effective from August 4, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various bilateral foot disabilities due to incomplete examination and opinion, failure to address relevant lay evidence, and lack of adequate consideration of all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted, as the evidence shows continuity of symptoms since military service and establishes a nexus between his current condition and in-service injury.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities such as respiratory/pulmonary disability, heart disability (coronary artery disease), hypertension, circulatory disability, skin condition (solar lentigo), sleep apnea, allergies, general arthralgia, right eye disability, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The issues have been remanded due to inadequate record and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations. The issues of service connection are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's left knee and right foot disabilities have been denied as service-connected.,The Veteran's left foot disability has also been denied as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella, finding that it is attributable to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 17, 2019 for service connection of a painful scar status post stab wound, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The effective date for each condition is set at April 17, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee disabilities and service connection for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,An effective date prior to June 5, 2019 is denied for the grant of service connection for left knee meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament tears and strain with osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient information in his initial notice of disagreement.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip, left hip, and hemorrhoid disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis is granted. The case is also remanded for further development regarding a leg length discrepancy and back disability secondary to the left knee surgery.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine with posterolisthesis was granted, restoring the original 20% rating effective December 1, 2011. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her wrist disabilities have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back syndrome with degenerative osteoarthritis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee condition, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a nexus between his current disability and any in-service injury or disease.