Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran to be examined by an orthopedic specialist, specifically one who specializes in the spine. The examination should assess whether his low back disorders are related to service or due to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right shoulder, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee instability have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to service connection for residuals of a cold injury and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for degenerative joint disease (claimed as left hip condition), degenerative joint disease (claimed as right hip condition), arthritis, cervical spine (claimed as neck condition), osteoarthritis (claimed as left shoulder condition), and post-surgical osteoarthritis (claimed as right shoulder condition).

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition. The issues of kidney disease (secondary to hypertension) and spinal stenosis are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right index finger laceration, including trigger finger and a scar, is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and opinions. The claim was previously denied in August 2016 but reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss of use of one or both lower extremities, nor does he require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.,The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran requires regular aid and assistance from another person for daily living activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting left foot disability was aggravated by service. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay reports of limping upon entry into military service and provide a clear and unmistakable opinion on this matter.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right leg and knee disorders, specifically his livedo reticularis and right knee osteoarthritis. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a thoracolumbar spine disorder other than lumbosacral strain and osteoarthritis, including ankylosing spondylitis, was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or manifestations that meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran experienced chronic back pain related to this condition since prior to his separation from active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 12, 2022, and on and after March 1, 2023, for left knee disability due to lack of adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 3, 2015. The Board granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that it is related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of right and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the previous VA opinions were inadequate. The Veteran's current knee conditions are being evaluated in relation to his service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing documents and unobtainable VA treatment records. The issues of a higher disability rating for left ankle bimalleolar fracture residuals with degenerative osteoarthritis, and TDIU are being addressed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to establish service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that his current condition is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of left knee disability and pes planus were denied as there are no prior VA treatment records showing an intent to apply for benefits. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral pes planus were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability, specifically his diagnosed conditions and their relation to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that his current conditions are not related to his in-service treatment of a ganglion cyst.