Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left knee disability, osteoarthritis with a meniscal tear, is caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The cervical spine and left ankle disabilities are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are not related to service, and therefore, denied both claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee instability and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, as well as his claim for TDIU due to lack of proper examinations. The AOJ is instructed to schedule new VA examinations and consider all evidence added since the August 2022 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and the right ring finger conditions are not rated higher.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis, finding that it was caused by wear and tear during active duty service. The decision is based on a private medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his knee disabilities, including TKA, have been denied. The Board found that the lumbar spine disability was not caused by or related to any in-service injury or disease, nor were the left and right knee disabilities linked to it. The VA examinations did not find a nexus between the Veteran's current back pain and service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion and incomplete private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded by the Board.,The Veteran is also facing a TDIU claim, which has been remanded as well.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and DM are granted as service-connected, with the right shoulder condition attributed to an inservice injury and DM presumed due to herbicide exposure in Korea.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, both secondary to his now service-connected back disability. The decision is based on a finding that there is at least an equipoise of evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions regarding their severity.

The Board has remanded the cases of right knee disability and TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives, including incomplete responses regarding nerve or muscle group involvement, inconsistent responses about instability, and failure to address a December 2018 VA primary care note. Another remand is required for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disorder and right knee disorder have been denied as they are not service-connected. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to incomplete records. The AOJ must ensure all relevant VA and private treatment records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee instability and degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA medical examinations and incomplete development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further review due to the need to consider the effects of medication on his lumbar spine condition and to address the oversight in referring his TDIU claim to the Director, Compensation Service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was noted at entry into service and aggravated by active service, leading to current foot disorders. Service connection is granted for the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for lower back disability and bilateral foot disability due to inadequate VA opinions and outstanding private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for her service-connected right knee disability is remanded due to inadequate January 2014 and December 2019 VA examinations. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disability is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.