Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, left knee, and right knee degenerative joint diseases due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of service connection and compensable evaluations were granted, with the earliest date being July 31, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral pes planus, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from December 15, 2011 to January 17, 2017. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional error in not obtaining his complete service personnel records for his period of service in the Navy Reserves. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all Reserve treatment records, specifically any medical records, pertaining to his service in the Army Reserve from October 2008 to April 2013.

The Veteran's right index finger disability, characterized by stiffness and weakness aggravated by use along with mild arthritis of the joint, has been rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disability, lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (back disability), and erectile dysfunction as secondary to major depressive disorder. The Board found that the evidence does not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted a 40 percent rating since February 11, 2010. The right hip and right knee disabilities are each granted a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine and in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder with PTSD have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are considered, and a new examination is required to determine if he requires aid and attendance or is housebound due to his conditions.

The Veteran's rating reduction from 20% to non-compensable for left knee instability was proper. The initial evaluation in excess of 20% and 10% for left knee instability and degenerative arthritis, respectively, is being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and headaches are being remanded due to the lack of sufficient information in the VA examinations regarding flare-ups, pain on passive motion, and prostrating attacks.

The Board has granted higher initial disability ratings of 20 percent for the service-connected left and right knee disabilities, effective from September 19, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, femoral radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and PTSD with dysthymia have been granted. The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine IVDS and degenerative arthritis are rated at 40 percent from March 17, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities, including left and right total knee replacements. The Board has remanded these issues due to inadequate prior examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease from May 18, 2022, and service connection for a psychiatric disability arising from her claim for a higher initial rating for her service-connected low back disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, shoulder disorders, low back disorder, and knee disorders are not service-connected. The GI disorder is presumed to be due to Camp Lejeune exposure.,Further examination is needed for the shoulders, low back, knees, and GI issues.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased disability rating and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis as secondary to her service-connected left knee osteoarthritis, which occurred after a total left knee arthroplasty.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased rating for TMJ dysfunction, service connection for generalized osteoarthritis of the hips, shoulders, ankles, and hands, and service connection for prostate disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's PTSD is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for thoracolumbar spine disorders, including IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. Additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and private medical records from Kaiser Permanente.