Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left middle finger injury is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for Barrett's Esophagus associated with irritable bowel syndrome with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for degenerative arthritis, right (claimed as right shoulder condition), to the service-connected disability of left shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine (claimed as back condition) is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for right hip condition (claimed as bilateral hip condition) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and whether there was a post-service event, injury, or illness that caused his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and compliance with prior remand directives.

Service connection for bilateral shin splints is granted. A disability rating of 10 percent is granted for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after service, and that any current back disability is not related to service or his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals seeking increased ratings for his left shoulder and left foot disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues regarding his right knee, left knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee arthroscopy scars.

The Veteran's PTSD due to military sexual trauma is granted as service-connected. The other issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU and do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's vertigo and left knee disability are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The right knee disability is also rated at 10 percent prior to June 24, 2021, but granted an initial rating of 10 percent since that date. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 10 percent regardless of the effective date.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and non-VA community care treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of right foot fracture has been reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial.,The Veteran's claim for lumbar spine disability, including DDD, has been reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial. The Board finds that the Veteran's condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence indicating possible increases in his service-connected conditions. The cases are being remanded for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and ankle conditions as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain disability.,An earlier effective date prior to May 31, 2011 for the grant of service connection for psychiatric disability is dismissed.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims regarding Bell's palsy, left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and seeking an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating, effective April 6, 2021. The right shoulder disability remained at a 20 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address inconsistencies in the medical opinions and obtain additional records. The Veteran's left knee disability is being evaluated for secondary service connection, while his right knee disabilities are being reviewed for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder of GAD and MDD, as well as left knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee, hip, ankle, shoulder, neck, and back disabilities due to a lack of adequate rationale in previous opinions and the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to sleep apnea. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's feet disabilities.