Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left shoulder condition, including osteoarthritis and separation of the AC joint, has been rated at 20 percent since service connection in February 2017. The VA examiner found that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of his symptoms due to potential flare-ups not being captured during the examination.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service or secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.,There is no persuasive medical evidence linking the appellant’s current diagnoses of right and left shoulder strains, right and left knee osteoarthritis, and right and left foot degenerative arthritis and heel spurs to her military service.

The Veteran's knee disabilities and hemorrhoids were evaluated, with the knee conditions rated as 10% for limitation of extension and instability, and the hemorrhoids rated at 20%. The Board found no basis to grant higher ratings. Service connection was remanded for low back and ankle disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected right knee joint osteoarthritis, as well as for any additional pertinent records. The earlier effective date issue is not addressed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from November 18, 2015 through January 24, 2017 due to his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder with secondary alcohol abuse.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated during active duty and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative arthritis, finding that the conditions originated during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issues of increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability, GERD, and hypopigmented lesions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete authorization forms and missing private treatment records. The issues of increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and TDIU prior to November 23, 2022 are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 4, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is related to her service, including a September 1982 fall and lifting incident in May 1984. The appeal for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's back brace, right knee brace, and left knee brace were found to cause wear and tear on his clothing due to regular use during 2015. The topical skin cream and pain cream used for service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.,Entitlement was granted for annual clothing allowances for back brace, right knee brace, and left knee brace in 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis. The cases of recurrent right eye disability and recurrent left eye disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip and right knee conditions due to insufficient consideration of the combat presumption and an inadequate secondary service connection opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities due to insufficient reasons provided in the May 2022 decision.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a 50% rating, the residuals of traumatic brain injury prior to March 21, 2018 are denied, and from March 21, 2018 forward, a higher rating is denied. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine receives a 40% rating, and service connection for erectile dysfunction as a residual of TBI is granted.

The Board has decided to send the case back to the AOJ for review of additional evidence submitted since the last decision, including VA and non-VA treatment records. The Veteran wishes this process to continue.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted service connection, while his right hip disability is also granted. The case is remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's left hip disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board has also remanded his claims for service connection for left knee, right foot, and left foot disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a bilateral foot condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.