Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were denied because he failed to appear for VA examinations without providing good cause.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he was still employed at the time of his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip osteoarthritis with labral tear and bilateral flat feet are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the appellant's left knee conditions and their relationship to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The claim will be further developed with additional medical examinations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, resulting in dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome, claimed as right upper extremity neuropathy, is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma and has been granted service connection.,Bilateral ankle degenerative arthritis, MDD (depression), and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome are all found to have a relationship to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine strain are denied as the claimant failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to ongoing development needs, including obtaining medical records from his military service.

The Veteran's employment ended in December 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities, including anxiety and migraine headaches. The AOJ needs to complete further development regarding the Veteran's employment history before deciding on the TDIU claim.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions obtained in connection with the January 2023 remand were inadequate and have ordered a new examination to address whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder, headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been granted. A TDIU has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient objective data and lack of addressing ankylosis in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and headaches, as the previous opinions were inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for his cervical spine and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as their relationship to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and hips, finding that the Veteran's in-service duties are at least as likely as not related to her current conditions.,The Board also remanded the issues regarding a skin condition of the nose (actinic keratosis) and a skin condition (seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis), requesting additional development on exposure history.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine and left arm radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's right knee disorder is being reviewed for service connection, with a focus on whether it is related to her in-service airborne operations.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis have been remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.