Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's hip disabilities are currently rated based on limitation of motion, and additional information is needed regarding how pain affects her range of motion.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of bilateral ankles, chronic degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with bulging disc, and osteoarthritis of bilateral knees. The decision is based on evidence in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service rheumatic fever.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral pes planus, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature of his service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that it is related to an in-service car accident and fracture. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that symptoms began during service and have been continuous since then. The decision is based on the presumption of service connection for arthritis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee degenerative arthritis are granted. The claim for left hand CTS is remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding its relationship to her service-connected right hand CTS.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The claims for right hip disability, right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and PTSD are all remanded due to insufficient examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for reopening service connection for his left shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tear and osteoarthritis, is being remanded due to the need for a hearing with a Decision Officer (DO).

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 20 percent for the period from March 10, 2017 to October 18, 2019. For the period beginning October 18, 2019, a higher rating than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. Service connection for other specific trauma-related disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU since June 19, 2017 and prevent him from performing gainful employment.

The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions have not manifested with flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, or extension limited to 10 degrees or more at any point during the appeal period. As such, her initial rating requests for increased compensation are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative arthritis, DDD, and lumbar strain, based on continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his knee and back conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability, finding that new evidence received after a prior final denial supports the claim. The decision is based on the opinion of a private physician who concluded that the Veteran's current right knee disability is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, psychiatric disorder, nerve impingement of the legs, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, and left foot disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of service connection for lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis, left knee instability, a right foot condition, and a skin condition of the right hand are being remanded due to an error in the VA treatment records considered at the time of the initial rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ankylosis and degenerative arthritis of the right elbow, finding that it is not related to his service-connected right shoulder disability.