Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left hip disabilities, including as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions considering all evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his request to connect service with foot strain, are being remanded due to the need for further review.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of flexion are granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.,Separate disability ratings of 10 percent but no higher for right and left knee instability are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for buttocks pain, rectal dysfunction, rheumatoid arthritis, non-union left elbow chip fracture with resolution of elbow effusion and osteoarthritis associated with history of lumbosacral strain with disk herniation at L4-5 and L5-S1 and DDD, and left shoulder strain have all been denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip numbness, left hip numbness, a disability of the right foot toes, a disability of the left foot toes, a sleep disorder to include sleep apnea, hypertension, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, and an effective date prior to August 20, 2002 have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and evidence. The issues include left knee, left hip, and right wrist disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis and has remanded the issue of right shoulder disability, including bursitis and degenerative arthritis. The decision is based on insufficient evidence to establish a link between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right knee, left knee, left wrist, and left thumb disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment from December 12, 2017 to December 31, 2019 on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the failure to obtain all relevant nonVA treatment records.,The Veteran's bladder problems may be related to his lumbar spine disability or a nonservice-connected condition, and further clarification is needed.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for low back condition to include degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine strain, and muscle spasm due to a lack of an adequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of lumbosacral disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective date was set at October 27, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to his service-connected migraine headaches, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis, rotator cuff tear with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ), chronic, left ankle post traumatic degenerative joint disease, right hip trochanteric pain/bursitis syndrome (extension), and right hip trochanteric pain/bursitis syndrome (flexion).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee chondromalacia with meniscal tear, and right knee chondromalacia were denied. The Board found that his disabilities did not meet or approximate criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation. However, due to the need for additional development regarding the severity of his service-connected disabilities, these claims are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine due to a lack of evidence regarding service connection, including potential exposure to toxic agents. The VA will attempt to verify Southwest Asia service and obtain an Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER).

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine DDD, C3 to C7 and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD. The Veteran's current hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically addressing the impact of flare-ups and repetitive use on his range of motion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of May 16, 2017 for the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities.,However, the claim for a higher rating for GERD remains pending as it was not adequately evaluated in the most recent decision.