Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, including lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no medical relationship between his current back condition and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to February 17, 2023, and denied for a higher rating.,The Veteran's bilateral knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis is rated at 30 percent from March 3, 2023, to April 14, 2023, and denied for a higher rating. After this date, the condition remains rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran's bilateral knee instability is rated at 20 percent prior to March 3, 2023, and denied for a higher rating.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee patellar instability from January 1, 2020 to January 26, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service symptoms and experiences.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee tendinitis with osteoarthritis and a compensable rating for left knee tendinitis with limitation of extension due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of substantial compliance with its previous remand directives, specifically regarding an addendum opinion on the Veteran's right foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities and a left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding obtaining potentially relevant records concerning his claim for disability/retirement benefits held by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is reopened, but the issue of whether his current disabilities are related to military service remains pending and requires further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to outstanding records from Craft Chiropractic Center in Charlotte, Michigan.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood requires further examination to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is being remanded due to inadequate development and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his right knee disability, particularly concerning recurrent subluxation or lateral instability prior to April 27, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to July 19, 2021, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 25, 2013 for tricompartmental osteoarthritis of the left knee and a compensable rating prior to April 25, 2013 for tricompartmental osteoarthritis of the left knee.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from the period on appeal and scheduling another VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records from Dr. Waters at South West Sound Orthopedics in Silverdale.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his right knee condition. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on whether any of the Veteran's right knee conditions were caused or aggravated by the service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is now considered service-connected.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for residuals of a right finger injury, right knee disability, and right ear hearing loss.