Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's cause of death was intracerebral hemorrhage and hypertension. The Board finds a VA medical opinion is necessary to determine if his service-connected conditions caused or contributed to his death.

The appeal of the cervical spine disability claim is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to May 7, 2017, is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was granted with an effective date of December 8, 2005. The decision is based on the submission of relevant official service department records that were not previously part of the claims file at the time of the initial denial in February 2006.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine strain with degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a separate 20 percent rating for right knee based on instability since July 6, 2018 is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran needs a new one to assess his left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left leg numbness secondary to back is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain (C6-7) claimed as cervical disc degeneration is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error prior to the rating decision on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis (claimed as chronic low back pain) is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error prior to the rating decision on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient notice and potential need for a medical examination, as some service records are unavailable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development due to duty-to-assist errors in the rating of his right knee disability and service connection for a psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis. The claims for bilateral ankle condition and bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis are remanded due to procedural errors in the VA examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical back condition, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, bilateral feet degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hand degenerative arthritis due to missing records from his Army Reserve service. The RO is instructed to verify any reserve service with NPRC and Army Reserve Personnel Center, obtain all relevant service treatment records, and seek out any outstanding VA or private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings in several conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn all his pending appeals.

The Veteran's right shoulder, left knee, and back disabilities were granted separate 10 percent ratings from November 2, 2015 to May 23, 2016. A rating higher than 10 percent for the right shoulder disability was denied during this period.

The Veteran's right shoulder disabilities, including a rotator cuff tear and labral tear, were incurred during active duty service from January to September 2004. The arthritis was also shown within one year of separation. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to new evidence and a need for additional examinations. The Veteran's endocrine system disorder, including pituitary adenoma, hyperprolactinemia, and hypogonadism, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on the right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, as well as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar strain, and right and left hip osteoarthritis are being remanded due to incomplete medical records.,The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on the right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, as well as degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar strain, and right and left hip osteoarthritis are being remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 14, 2021. The case is now before the Board again for further appellate action.

The Board has determined that a new medical opinion is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection due to an inaccurate factual premise in the previous VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service arthritis diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to outdated medical examinations. The Veteran's left knee conditions, back disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder are all under review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his back disability and sinusitis with allergic and non-allergic rhinitis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.