Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and scar disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to increased symptomatology reported since the last VA examination in June 2016.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury. The Veteran's current back disability is not related to his in-service back contusion, as there was no chronicity of symptoms post-service. The Board determined that the Veteran's arthritis is more likely due to post-service injuries rather than an in-service event.

The Veteran's left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, and the Veteran's degenerative disc disease with IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine is restored to a 60 percent rating effective January 1, 2015. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for left sciatic nerve compression with left leg radiculopathy and entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and low back strain due to evidence indicating that his disabilities have worsened since the last examination. The Veteran will need to provide updated private treatment records, including from Dr. J.W., and undergo another VA examination.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability due to permanent aggravation by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis was denied. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for limitation of extension from February 23, 2010 to November 8, 2015. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for instability throughout the appeal period. For the period beginning January 19, 2018, a higher rating in excess of 40 percent for left knee osteoarthritis is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including a lack of examination records and potential pre-existing conditions. The Veteran will need to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records from Centinela Hospital.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disabilities and considering functional limitations during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not service-connected prior to September 23, 2013.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's allegation of increased severity since previous examinations and for issues related to a compensable rating for scalp lacerations and service connection for a left shoulder disorder.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bronchitis, as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to new evidence.

The Veteran's spouse is granted an effective date of August 29, 2006 for additional VA compensation benefits due to the Veteran being rated at a 30% or greater disability rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records, requiring further examination and development.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for left lower extremity, right knee, and right lower extremity disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has decided that more information is needed to determine if the Veteran's back pain qualifies for service connection. They have ordered additional medical records and a request for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of right knee degenerative arthritis was denied as there is no legal basis to grant such a request.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not linked to service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection was also denied for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for spondylosis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee disability, chronic respiratory disability, and chronic sleep disability due to unresolved medical questions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and migraine headaches have been granted. The effective date is not specified.