Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the back, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to his military service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disorder and hypertension due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address certain issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether obesity is a substantial factor in causing or aggravating the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, and whether PTSD is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to inadequate examination of the Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically focusing on the right knee. The VA examiner did not conduct a full examination and provided inconsistent findings with other evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that it began during active service and is related to an in-service injury.

The Board dismissed all issues of service connection and related reopening claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis are granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as cervical strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and spinal stenosis, is service-connected. The decision was based on credible lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection, ratings, and effective dates.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination findings regarding the Veteran's range of motion during flare-ups and repetitive use. The case is now pending for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities have been rated as 10% each since the appeal began, with a minimum compensable rating of 20% effective May 23, 2016. The Board found no evidence to support increased ratings under any criteria.,Effective May 23, 2016, VA policy required assignment of a 20% rating for painful motion in the shoulders, but there was no additional or increased range of motion limitations sufficient to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, resulting in the dismissal of all service connection claims for various knee and hip conditions as well as diverticulitis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder disabilities, including AC joint osteoarthritis, glenohumeral osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tendonitis, and a rotator cuff tear. The Board found that these conditions are related to service due to continuous symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate development of the evidence, specifically regarding the severity of her intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) prior to September 12, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as his right foot conditions (Morton's neuroma and hallux rigidus), are being remanded for additional development including VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for various conditions, including those secondary to a hysterectomy and/or medication prescribed post-surgery, was denied as the evidence did not support that these conditions were caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's right and left hip osteoarthritis and replacement residuals are granted service connection. The issue of TDIU prior to July 8, 2017 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right hip disabilities, including whether they are related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an examination to determine if the Veteran's right upper extremity disability, including his use of crutches for a service-connected left knee disability, is related to his active duty service or secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip and leg disability including radiculopathy from service-connected lower spine disability, effective June 15, 2005.