Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination report and needs clarification on whether the Veteran requires prescription for assistive devices for right knee instability. The issues of increased rating for right knee disability and TDIU are inextricably intertwined, so both must be addressed together.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination considering all of his service-connected conditions, including those not previously considered in the previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as it no longer has jurisdiction.

The Veteran's hypertension and right knee strain with degenerative arthritis are being remanded for further examination and opinion. Her TDIU claim is also remanded to obtain information from her former employers.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding his left knee disabilities. The issues include initial ratings for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, separate disability rating for left knee instability prior to August 6, 2019, and initial ratings in excess of 10 percent from August 6, 2019, to February 6, 2021, and since February 7, 2021, for left knee instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not service-connected, as it is considered to be a result of natural degenerative changes and overuse rather than any service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for seizures, increased ratings for bilateral hip degenerative arthritis, and TDIU prior to April 20, 2016. The Veteran is required to be examined by a VA clinician to determine the nature and etiology of his seizure disorder and the severity of his bilateral hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 60 percent for CAD is granted. The Veteran also receives a TDIU from August 28, 2019 to November 30, 2019 and SMC during the same period.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and clarification of certain medical information. The issues include evaluating left knee disability, including pain in weight-bearing, use of medication, and flare-ups, as well as service connection for primary vitiligo which was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The medical evidence does not support a finding of nexus between these conditions and his service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right ankle disabilities, as well as a left knee disability, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The remand requires new VA opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, but remanded the issues of service connection for left hip, right hip, left foot, and right foot disabilities due to unclear diagnoses and lack of medical documentation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in its previous decision regarding a disability rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis prior to November 1, 2019. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence and an examiner will be requested to review the records and provide a retrospective opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, including right knee arthritis, bilateral hip arthritis, bilateral shoulder degenerative arthritis, and lumbar spine disability. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and TDIU as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, hip disability, and knee disability due to incomplete development. The Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records will be reviewed, along with any additional medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion and the need for additional development, including a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to October 11, 2021. The Board found the most persuasive evidence against a finding that his disabilities prevented him from performing all types of work.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 30 percent for the period from September 19, 2013, to July 1, 2021. For the period after July 1, 2021, a rating greater than 30 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and low back disability due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.