Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee osteoarthritis due to insufficient evidence, and will consider any new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, IVDS, and degenerative disc disease with chronic strain was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a 40 percent disability evaluation were met since June 5, 2018.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinions were inadequate and remanded for further clarification. The Veteran's left-hand osteoarthritis is being remanded to determine if it is related to his in-service injury while playing basketball.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis in both the left and right thumb, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active-duty military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis and pain, finding that there is at least a balance of evidence to support this claim.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy with multiple microaneurysms are denied as his claim was not received until October 24, 2017.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the possibility of a factually ascertainable increase in severity within one year prior to the receipt of his claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for various disorders, including foot fungus, nose disorder, back disorder, asthma, psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and hearing loss. The appeals are being remanded to obtain clarification on private treatment records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right shoulder and right ankle disability due to incomplete development in the prior appeal.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU has been granted. The left knee meniscectomy residuals, right knee osteoarthritis (rated as limitation of flexion), and right knee total arthroplasty have all received appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for several of the service-connected conditions and rating increases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to chronic headaches, left shoulder disorder, left hand disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorders are inadequate. The Veteran must be afforded new examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracic spine conditions, right upper extremity radiculopathy, osteoarthritis of the great toes, gastrointestinal disability, Peyronie's disease, and erectile dysfunction. The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions, as well as whether there is a nexus between his service-connected disabilities and any other claimed conditions or exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates determined based on the receipt of formal or informal claims. The Board also found that his chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right hand degenerative joint disease are related to service.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent, effective as of the date of this decision.,Service connection for left knee disability and left lower extremity neuropathy secondary to low back disability are granted.,TDIU is denied.

The Board has found that the VA examination during the appeal period is insufficient to determine the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's hip disabilities throughout the appeal period. Therefore, a remand is required for an addendum retrospective medical opinion.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, left knee condition, right knee condition, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The claims are being remanded due to a pre-decisional error in considering all of the evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis and instability have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective from January 26, 2018. Ratings for right and left knee instability were also granted starting from August 9, 2019.