Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability, as the previous VA examiner did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements about in-service and post-service symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a left hip disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any other compensable condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain physical therapy records and medical opinions regarding the appellant's claimed neck, shoulder, and back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues with his hearing officer at a previous hearing, and because of new evidence submitted by the appellant. The Veteran is now required to provide additional evidence supporting his service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's back condition is being reviewed again with additional information from his Reserve service.

The Veteran's osteoporosis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent prior to January 27, 2022. The claim for a higher rating remains on appeal.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent from January 27, 2022. The claim for a higher rating remains on appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral flatfoot and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA treatment records and inadequate medical opinions. The issues of cervical spine, right hand, left hand, sciatica (right and left lower extremities), and talofibular ligament strain of the right ankle will be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral ankles and prostate cancer, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's left and right knee DJD/osteoarthritis are rated at 20 percent each prior to May 16, 2013. The Board finds that the conditions meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating due to severe osteoarthritis with constant pain, swelling, grinding, weakness, and tightness.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and whether it was aggravated by Reserve service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in July 2022 were inadequate to decide the claims for increased ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear, left knee subluxation and degenerative joint disease, left knee residual scar, and reactive airway disease. The case is being remanded to obtain addendum opinions from a VA examiner.

Your initial disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis changes and disc disease has been increased to 20 percent, effective October 14, 2017. Your appeal is dismissed as you have withdrawn it.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for further development of the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis in the left knee, right knee, and MTP tendonitis of the 2nd toe on the left foot. Service connection was denied for a bilateral Achilles tendon disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee conditions have been denied as a matter of law due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has dismissed all issues of appeal as the Veteran's representative withdrew them in August 2022, and a TDIU is granted from November 9, 2010.

The Veteran's TDIU based on service-connected migraine headaches is granted, and he is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence not previously considered by the AOJ.