Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was granted.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating prior to March 24, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete records. The Veteran's Social Security Administration disability benefits records and VA treatment records from the Columbus CBOC prior to 2001 need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability due to inadequate examination and failure to provide adequate reasons and bases.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various ankle, hip, and knee disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding preexistence and aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve, left sciatic nerve, hemorrhoids, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, kidney stones, lip numbness, and gastrointestinal disorders have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left first metatarsal osteoarthritis, left hallux valgus, and right knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran's claims were also remanded for further development.,Service connection was granted for right shoulder strain as secondary to service-connected neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied as there is no evidence of a separate and distinct diagnosis.,Service connection for right knee disorder, including as due to a service-connected disability or medications taken for a service-connected disability, is also denied. The examiner found that the current right knee condition is not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of initial and non-initial ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with spondylolisthesis with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as a non-initial rating for spondylolisthesis with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims are remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate opinions and missing information in the VA examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for right elbow rheumatoid arthritis and tendinopathy, bilateral hip osteoarthritis and tendonitis, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis and tendonitis. These conditions are found to be etiologically related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar disc disease, spondylolisthesis, and lumbar radiculopathy, to include on a secondary basis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left knee arthritis due to incomplete development and need for new medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that his current condition is related to a 1971 injury during active duty and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and disability rating determinations. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent, as forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine was greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis have been rated at 20 percent since December 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not show limitation of motion to midway between the side and shoulder level, which is required for a higher rating.