Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding the right knee and another for degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran's records from Brooke Army Medical Center and San Antonio Military Medical Center need to be obtained, as well as updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis is granted with an effective date of June 11, 2008. The Board also found that the earlier claim for a skin rash inherently included a claim for psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for cervical spine C5-6 disc disease and osteoarthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome was dismissed as the appellant requested a withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right ankle, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to his in-service accident.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's end stage dementia was related to his military service and service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and CAD. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is granted.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there is no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues include back disability, neck disability, hip disorders, lower extremity neuropathies, muscle cramps, edema, and upper left arm pain.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left ankle was denied as her disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as TDIU, are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board denied service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's right elbow disability is rated at 10 percent, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: one regarding a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and another for an initial higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's last VA examinations were in November 2014, and the Board finds that new examinations are needed due to possible increased symptomatology since then.

The Veteran's low back and bilateral ankle disabilities are granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence in equipoise, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate or insufficient examinations in the record.

The Board is remanding the claims for a compensable rating for right shoulder osteoarthritis and headaches due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the Veteran's condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right thumb condition, a right heel condition, and an acquired psychiatric condition due to new evidence received. The claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine remains in remand status.

The Board has granted service connection for status post right hip replacement with osteoarthritis and status post left hip replacement with osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and failure to address additional functional loss during flare-ups or after repetitive use.

The Veteran's request for an increase in the rating for his left ankle disability is being remanded due to missing records and procedural issues.