Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability and entitlement to service connection for a separate condition are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left ankle disability prior to November 4, 2020 or from November 4, 2020 onwards. For his right knee total replacement, the claim was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of various knee, hip, and nerve conditions. The reduction in rating for right knee osteoarthritis from 20% to 10% was also found improper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The AOJ will seek additional medical records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right hip OA with limitation of extension is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD prior to February 26, 2020 is denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 20, 2017 is remanded due to the need for clarification of his employment history and any vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hip and foot disabilities, psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders, hearing loss, vertigo, vision loss, hyperlipidemia, GERD, skin rashes, hand circulatory condition, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a foot disability other than pes planus, claimed as secondary to pes planus due to an inadequate VA medical opinion. The Veteran's lay statements regarding worsening symptoms during service are considered.

The Veteran's cervical strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent from November 27, 2017, through December 13, 2022, and at 30 percent since December 14, 2022. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disorders. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's right knee disorders are directly related to military service, or if they were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee, bilateral foot, lumbar spine and/or left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral foot gout, and left foot osteoarthritis as the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis as there is no current diagnosis of arthritis in the Veteran's medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, left ankle condition, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, lung condition, gastrointestinal disability (IBS and gastroenteritis), migraine headaches, and sickle cell trait are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the Veteran's end stage renal failure and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require a higher level of aid and attendance, necessitating personal health-care services provided on a daily basis by a person who is licensed to provide such services. The Board has granted the increased SMC (r)(2) based on this need.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and remanded the issue of service connection for right thigh muscle atrophy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee, left foot, left elbow, and left knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran was also denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the current disabilities. The claim was also denied for an initial rating on the left ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis prior to June 27, 2018 and whether a meniscal tear existed prior to that date.

The Veteran's right leg disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current condition related to service.,The Veteran's left hip and right hip disabilities are denied due to lack of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to an in-service injury or event.