Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for a bladder disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of a bladder disability during or in close proximity to the appeal period.,The claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability was previously denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The new evidence does not provide material information regarding this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis was granted, and he is now receiving a 40 percent rating from March 21, 2011 until January 10, 2013. Special monthly compensation has also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of the 40 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The claims for a higher rating for cervical strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied, but she was granted TDIU effective July 12, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination records and development of evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new medical examination and additional development, including obtaining treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left and right knee patellar instability, tricompartmental degenerative arthritis based on painful motion, and cartilage damage have been denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.,Effective dates prior to May 2, 2017, for the grant of initial 20 percent ratings for left and right knee cartilage damage have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The claims of left foot fibroma, right foot fibroma (including postoperative residuals), right foot neuropathy secondary to removal of fibroma, right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and left CTS are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraines, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

Service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied. Service connection for right wrist disability, including de Quervain's tenosynovitis, chronic right wrist pain, and right ulnar nerve entrapment, as well as left ankle disability, to include tendinitis and residuals of a ruptured Achilles tendon, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for additional disorders are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right leg soft tissue injury or residuals thereof, and therefore service connection for such is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and SMC are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records and clarification regarding his recent emergency room visit.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left ankle degenerative arthritis with strain, as well as DJD of the knees, are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent worsening reported by the Veteran. Additionally, a claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also being remanded.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% rating for cervical degenerative arthritis/spondylosis and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder with traumatic brain disorder. The reduction in rating was improper due to inadequate procedural notice.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disorder as secondary to his service-connected right knee, left knee, and/or left foot disorders. The decision is based on a finding that the Veteran's low back disorder was aggravated by these service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's reports of an in-service injury and subsequent symptoms are credible. The claim is denied for other issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for her bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for ulcerative colitis (UC) and migraine headaches due to a lack of updated treatment records, material change in her conditions, and need for addendum opinions regarding the preexistence of her UC.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and osteoarthritis are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and osteoarthritis are also granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, finding that it is related to his military service.