Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral hip disability, as secondary to service-connected right knee tendonitis. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and did not substantially comply with the May 2021 remand instructions.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis has not been found to warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for more severe limitation of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed back, neck, and right shoulder disorders based on credible lay evidence of in-service injury and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the cervical spine did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 17, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left ankle disability is denied. The case is remanded for additional development, including consideration of the Veteran's TDIU claim and review of new VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial rating for her right shoulder recurrent rotator cuff tear has been granted. The issue of an increased rating for her low back disability remains pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left hip, right hip, and knee disabilities are denied as service connection is not established.,PTSD service connection is remanded due to insufficient evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis status post-meniscus tear repair of the left knee prior to January 27, 2015 is being remanded due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for bilateral knee disability, including Osgood-Schlatter disease. The issues are whether the Veteran's pre-existing left knee condition was permanently aggravated by his service and whether any current left knee disability is a delayed post-traumatic residual of activities during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is dismissed. The appeal for a higher disability rating remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of his knees and ensure consistency with the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left elbow injury was denied in 2002. New evidence has been submitted, and the claim is now reopened. However, further examination is needed to determine if there is a link between the current condition and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disorder, hypertension secondary to a neck disorder, and neurological disorder of the bilateral upper extremities (BUE) secondary to a neck disorder due to inadequate opinions in prior VA examinations. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's back disability resulted in a separate rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy as of February 2, 2017, and a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy as of April 3, 2019. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings prior to August 21, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter are remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bleeding ulcers is granted.,Service connection for a right-hand disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder are denied.,An issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left elbow osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service and have persisted since then.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remanded for further development, including obtaining new examination reports to address the nature and severity of knee disabilities during flare-ups and the presence of a neurological disability in each lower extremity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is being remanded to allow the AOJ to consider newly received evidence in the first instance.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities due to insufficient development. The Veteran's current neck disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking it to an in-service injury or event, despite credible lay statements of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty from May 2009 to May 2011. Service connection was denied for bilateral eye disabilities.