Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal during his hearing, indicating satisfaction with his current benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA opinions and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot disability. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints and corn removal surgery, but the August 2023 VA examiner did not consider this evidence in their opinion.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for additional development due to a potential pre-decisional error in the duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was denied. The effective date of the increased rating from April 30, 2018, to August 15, 2019, is also denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to assess his left shoulder disability, and an opinion on the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to request an opinion regarding the impact of service-connected disabilities on the Veteran's occupational functioning prior to January 10, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left ankle osteochondral defect due to inadequate medical opinions provided prior to the January 2020 rating decision on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the complexity of the issues involved, including the need to consider additional evidence not previously considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, spinal fusion and spinal stenosis (claimed as back injury) and hernia. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,Both of the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected pes cavus conditions were remanded due to the need for additional medical records from Dr. E.B.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 20% rating for his left ankle disability, finding that the reduction from 20% to 10% was proper based on improvement in the condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his shoulder disabilities and TDIU are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA will attempt to obtain private medical records from the Veteran's outside providers, Dr. B., Dr. J.L., and Dr. C.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and cervical spine disability have been granted service connection, with a 20 percent rating for the right knee condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

Your previous appeals for service connection for knee and ankle arthritis have been dismissed because the July 12, 2021 notice of disagreement was found to be duplicative.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed as the requests for extensions of time to file appeal forms were denied, and no good cause was shown.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's back injury is presumed to have occurred prior to service, but it is unclear if the preexisting condition worsened during service.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to October 18, 2019, finding that the evidence supports this rating based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot plantar fasciitis and a right hip disability due to incomplete medical opinions and potential missing private treatment records.