Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his back disability, RLE radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, or bilateral ankle tendonitis. However, the Veteran's claims for service connection of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction (ED), SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for right thumb strain with arthritis, right knee strain with osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis (including as secondary to the right knee disability).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's appeal is still pending as it pertains to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and inadequate examination, requiring further development including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS and right lower extremity radiculopathy were both found to not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent disability ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for osteoarthritis status post joint replacement, left hip and right shoulder disability are granted. The claim for a compensable rating for the right thumb laceration scar is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation (TTE) for left shoulder surgery based on convalescence due to incomplete information regarding his service and associated STRs. The case is also remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's rotator cuff tear was related to his service-connected left shoulder tendinitis/osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The initial rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability and the TDIU claim are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on her service-connected migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, PTSD with TBI, and scar of the right lateral forehead have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal in its entirety.

The Veteran's left acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, with rotator cuff tear and tendinitis (claimed as left shoulder condition) is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine and cervical strain, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's rib condition, diagnosed as a hairline fracture due to jump from a Black Hawk, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left femur condition, diagnosed as a femur injury in 1987, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's right-hand condition, diagnosed as dupuytren's contracture with lacerations, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left-hand condition, diagnosed as dupuytren's contracture with lacerations and osteopenia, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's right wrist condition, diagnosed as lacerations of the right forearm/hand, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left wrist condition, diagnosed as lacerations of the left forearm/hand, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these matters as they are not related to her life.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee osteoarthritis have been granted. The rating for his lumbar strain degenerative arthritis has been restored from 40% to 10%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and degenerative joint disease, as well as his left knee condition, right knee condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition do not meet or approximate the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was denied because there is no credible evidence showing that any current disability began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors in obtaining his military records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric condition, bilateral hearing loss, and neck and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been granted. The claim for service connection for the thoracolumbar spine disability remains pending due to remand.

Your appeal for service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis has been dismissed because the benefits you sought have already been granted.

The Board has granted effective dates of May 2, 2018 for service connection on all five conditions: intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine, right shoulder strain, hypertension, right Achilles' tendon tear, and radiculopathy, right lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral wrist osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her military service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically osteoarthritis. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records and schedule a VA examination for an opinion on whether the current right knee disability may be related to service.