Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and knee conditions are granted service connection.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, and a breathing problem have been dismissed as there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including arthritis of the right great toe with plantar and heel spurs, was rated at a 10 percent prior to June 30, 2014. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted for this period. Separate ratings were remanded for the back disability and degenerative arthritis of the right great toe.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability (cervical spine) and a low back disability (lumbar spine), finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his right and left knee disorders is granted, with the effective date being subject to rules governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by his statements of in-service injury and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for bilateral knee disorders, left ear hearing loss, and right ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a gallbladder condition was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal at a Board hearing. The appeals for low back degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, right foot disability, and stomach and/or pancreas condition are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of right shoulder degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine condition with sacroiliac weakness and disc disease, and left ankle sprain due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran was diagnosed with this condition during his active duty service.

All appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all issues.,An effective date of January 26, 2018, has been granted for a 50 percent disability evaluation for headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but has remanded the issue of service connection for left leg chronic edema due to missing or incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, right wrist condition, and right RC condition have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and active service.,Service connection was not granted due to lack of in-service treatment or complaints related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate compliance with the December 2022 Board remand. The case will be returned to the VA examiner for a retrospective opinion addressing the severity of his service-connected back disorder during the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including addressing earlier effective dates and initial ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic low back symptoms during or following service and rejecting the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury. The Board also found insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The other claims, including those related to left and right lower extremity neuropathy, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for updated VA examinations.