Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left and right knees is related to his service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an eye condition, right knee disability, and back disability are all remanded due to insufficient evidence. The eye condition claim was denied as there is no diagnosed eye condition other than refractive errors. Right knee and back disability claims require further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports the readjudication of claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and neck disability.,The Board has also determined that new and relevant evidence supports the readjudication of claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and neck disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate examinations in prior remands. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the rating issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities due to additional evidence received after the appeal was certified to the Board. The TDIU claim is also being returned to the AOJ as it is intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The disabilities are found to be related to his service-connected schizophrenia.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral knee conditions and service connection for bilateral ankle conditions have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition has been remanded due to uncertainty regarding the etiology of his current foot conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU due to conflicting opinions regarding his left deltoid disability and hearing loss. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his degenerative arthritis of the lower back as secondary to his service-connected right knee strain, left knee laxity, and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar osteoarthritis, service connection for hypertension, service connection for a psychiatric disability, and service connection for headaches due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and strain, as well as femoral nerve radiculopathy, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, obturator nerve radiculopathy, external cutaneous nerve of the thigh radiculopathy, and ilio-inguinal nerve radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tear, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions are found to be caused by the Veteran's service-connected right little finger disability.,The decision also includes a remand for further evaluation of the Veteran's claimed left hand pain.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee and left knee osteoarthritis are remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess the severity of his disabilities, including any flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's PTSD with stimulant use disorder, cocaine, in sustained remission is rated at 50 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no current right ankle disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's right ankle arthritis with chronic instability is granted a 20 percent rating, the maximum allowed. Service connection for his left knee and right knee degenerative arthritis, as well as his bilateral hip osteoarthritis, are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating of 40 percent for multilevel osteoarthritis and lumbosacral spine DDD was granted, effective July 7, 2023.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for new evaluations of his right shoulder, cervical spine, and radiculopathy conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been withdrawn by her authorized representative.