Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, including issues for increased ratings and secondary radiculopathy. The claims are being returned for further development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and clarifying certain opinions from previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with abdominal pain and pylori bacterial infection is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his osteoarthritis of the right knee prior to September 7, 2023, he was previously rated at 10 percent. After that date, he received a separate 10 percent rating for recurrent subluxation or instability and a 50 percent rating for arthritis.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disabilities. The Board also found that there was insufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral leg disability (claimed as bilateral knee pain).

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and etiology. The Veteran's presumed soundness at entry into service is now considered, and additional opinions are needed from a VA examiner.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), sacroiliac injury, and sacroiliac weakness on a direct basis as chronic disease under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b) due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection on all withdrawn claims of diabetes, right shoulder osteoarthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, coronary artery disease, and a lung disorder.

The Board has decided the case is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for right foot conditions, including hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's in-service injury may be related to his current conditions.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's knee disabilities need to be re-evaluated with a more complete examination, including retrospective opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for degenerative disc disorder of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the right knee joint, femoral acetabular impingement syndrome of the left hip, and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome of the right hip, all secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his back disability, RLE radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, or bilateral ankle tendonitis. However, the Veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction (ED), SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for right thumb strain with arthritis, right knee strain with osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis (including as secondary to the right knee disability).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's appeal is still pending as it pertains to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and inadequate examination, requiring further development including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy were both found to not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent disability ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for osteoarthritis status post joint replacement, left hip and right shoulder disability are granted. The claim for a compensable rating for the right thumb laceration scar is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation (TTE) for left shoulder surgery based on convalescence due to incomplete information regarding his service and associated STRs. The case is also remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's rotator cuff tear was related to his service-connected left shoulder tendinitis/osteoarthritis.