Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate examination and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and associated neurological manifestations due to inadequate discussion in the January 2021 decision. The remand also includes adjudication of TDIU, DEA, and SMC issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating issues related to his hip disability, genitourinary condition, and PTSD due to unclear examination reports and inextricability of certain issues.

The Board has granted effective dates of June 22, 2021 for the grant of service connection for right hip osteoarthritis with hip joint replacement and status post right hip replacement surgery scars.

The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), finding that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis in the lumbar spine and bilateral knee replacements. The effective date for this decision is not specified.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's statements and medical records need further examination.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for pes planus and plantar fasciitis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and spinal stenosis, and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need to consider SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new examinations and addendums, particularly regarding right knee flare-ups and a back disorder potentially caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied, and his left knee disability received increased ratings of 20% each.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The issues of service connection for lumbar spine, right hip, right knee, bilateral foot, and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether it was proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD or right foot bunionectomy with hallux valgus and decreased mobility, osteoarthritis, old avulsion, and calcaneal spurs aggravated his obesity. The VA will obtain additional opinions from an examiner to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting findings and deficiencies in the examination reports. Further VA examinations are needed to determine the nature of any identified lumbar spine and knee disabilities, their relationship to active service, and whether they are related to or aggravated by other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine condition and its relationship to service, including secondary service connection for headaches and post-concussive symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete service records. The Veteran is presumed to have served with the Air Force Reserve, but his periods of active duty and training need to be verified.

The Veteran's right knee instability and left knee instability have been granted separate 10 percent ratings effective February 18, 2015. The initial rating for the right knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, left foot, and hip disabilities due to the need for additional examinations and development of his employment history.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran met the criteria for a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 from April 25, 2017 as a result of March 2017 back surgery.