Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities have not met the criteria for increased ratings, with flexion limitations below the required thresholds.,The case is remanded to further assess the severity of the Veteran's hip and knee conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the reduction of ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis was not proper and has restored the original ratings. The Veteran's claims for a higher rating, TDIU, and SMC are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and employee health nursing notes.

The Board dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for various conditions including degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee, hip pain, and right ankle pain and instability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further evaluation of his knee disabilities due to unclear functional loss and incomplete examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the Board finding that her back disability and psychiatric disorders are related to her military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and right wrist degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 24, 2016.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disability and muscle spasms are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability with instability and degenerative arthritis was granted an increased rating of 20 percent prior to October 30, 2020. From that date, the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and hemorrhoids. The Board has also granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee osteoarthritis, right knee recurrent patellar dislocation and slight instability with right meniscal tear status post arthroscopy, right knee total arthroplasty, and left knee total arthroplasty. The remand is due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to address whether his service-connected bowel dysfunction causes or aggravates his nonservice-connected colon cancer residuals, including incontinence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in medical reports and failure to comply with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy since January 13, 2022.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar, cervical spine, and bilateral hip degenerative arthritis as the evidence did not show a chronic disease or injury during service that caused current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee instability, left knee degenerative arthritis status post patella femoral ligament repair, right knee disability, sinusitis, rhinitis, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remands and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service-connected right knee disability.