Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for right-knee disorder. The Veteran's in-service complaints of right-knee issues need to be addressed, along with his lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lichen planus simplex has been denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and the Board remanded several of his service-connected disability ratings for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to service, including his bootcamp activities and motor man duties. Additional development is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for disabilities of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that his current service-connected conditions (postoperative instability with limitation of motion, right knee; degenerative arthritis, left knee; restless leg syndrome with radiculopathy, right and left lower extremities) are the only disabilities of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis status post total replacement with femoral impingement syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with a lumbosacral strain, spondylosis, and scoliosis. Service connection for hypertension was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating prior to May 18, 2017, for her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to inadequate previous VA examinations and the need for a retrospective medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis was denied, but he received a TDIU effective from November 11, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation of right knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis was granted, effective May 15, 2018.

The Board has determined that the VA Regional Office did not substantially comply with its development orders and thus, these claims must be remanded again for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent prior to January 4, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded this issue for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic gastrointestinal disorder, bilateral hallux valgus, and bilateral osteoarthritis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were caused by military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and lumbar degenerative joint disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.,Service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these disabilities during active duty. The Veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to post-service events.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, attributed to ankylosing spondylitis, is granted as service-connected due to its onset within one year of his separation from active duty and the presence of compensable symptoms.

The Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for headaches was denied. The Board also remanded the cases regarding left hip degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective findings from an appropriate clinician regarding the severity of her service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis of both knees due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back condition, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability related to his active duty service.