Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hip condition, left hip condition, and degenerative arthritis lumbar spine due to insufficient credentialing documents provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his back disability and TDIU prior to September 19, 2018 are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and denied secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral inguinal hernias were rated as small and not readily reducible, but they were not large or postoperative recurrent. The left knee arthritis was not manifest by x-ray evidence of two or more major joints. Therefore, the claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee meniscus tear with osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus, and has also granted a 30 percent initial rating for bilateral pes planus prior to October 16, 2019.

The Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, knee strain, and knee instability, status post total knee arthroplasty, is granted. The claims for secondary service connection for a left hip disability and a left ankle disability are remanded.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis is remanded due to inadequate examination.,Left knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus type II are all remanded as the Board needs additional opinions on their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected back condition was granted, with a rating of 20 percent effective August 23, 2018, to January 9, 2023.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of lumbar spine disorder was granted, and he is now receiving a 60% rating effective from November 2, 2017.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 100% from November 1, 2011 to February 1, 2012. From January 13, 2015 to November 5, 2015, and from March 1, 2016 to January 18, 2018, the Veteran's coronary artery disease was rated at 60%. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disorder was rated at 30% prior to August 9, 2010. From August 9, 2010, the Veteran's GERD was rated at 40%. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20% prior to July 13, 2010 and at 40% thereafter. The Veteran's right humerus condition, residuals of a right shoulder dislocation with degenerative arthritis (DA), and bilateral knee conditions were all rated at 20%. SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition, including osteoarthritis and separation of the AC joint, has been rated at 20 percent since service connection in February 2017. The VA examiner found that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of his symptoms due to potential flare-ups not being captured during the examination.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service or secondary to her service-connected lumbar spine disability.,There is no persuasive medical evidence linking the appellant’s current diagnoses of right and left shoulder strains, right and left knee osteoarthritis, and right and left foot degenerative arthritis and heel spurs to her military service.

The Veteran's knee disabilities and hemorrhoids were evaluated, with the knee conditions rated as 10% for limitation of extension and instability, and the hemorrhoids rated at 20%. The Board found no basis to grant higher ratings. Service connection was remanded for low back and ankle disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected right knee joint osteoarthritis, as well as for any additional pertinent records. The earlier effective date issue is not addressed due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from November 18, 2015 through January 24, 2017 due to his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorder with secondary alcohol abuse.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated during active duty and did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative arthritis, finding that the conditions originated during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issues of increased ratings for the lumbar spine disability, GERD, and hypopigmented lesions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete authorization forms and missing private treatment records. The issues of increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and TDIU prior to November 23, 2022 are also being remanded.