Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's tension/reoccurring headaches are found to be related to an in-service head injury.,The Veteran's right knee disorder with arthroplasty and total knee replacement is found to be related to a service-connected right knee disorder.,The Veteran's left knee degenerative osteoarthritis is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder.,The Veteran's right ankle instability is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder.,The Veteran's left ankle instability is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied in January 2014, but granted with an effective date of December 15, 2016. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is December 15, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, right knee (claimed as a right leg condition) was denied because he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination without showing good cause. As a result, the claim is denied.

The Veteran's current eye disability, including glaucoma and loss of sight, was not caused by or incurred during service. The Board found the evidence does not support a finding that his back disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for a cervical disorder, including degenerative arthritis and its relationship to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again with an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and deep vein thrombosis of the left ankle. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed to be related to his active duty service.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence showing their onset during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and instability, has been rated at 20 percent since March 6, 2009. The decision grants a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, accounting for all instances of right knee pain while in service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 40 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of the Veteran's skin disorder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral knee and wrist disorders due to uncertainty regarding the diagnosis and etiology of his conditions, as well as lack of probative medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues including accrued benefits, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to pending requests for substitution and other unresolved claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability prior to August 1, 2019 and for separate ratings for bowel/bladder disabilities associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee disabilities and TDIU prior to October 1, 2019 are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the severity and frequency of flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy ratings have been restored to their effective dates, with the exception of a higher rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy which is not an issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle dislocation and left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis have been dismissed as the issues are moot due to prior Board decisions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims of increased ratings and service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left knee, right knee degenerative arthritis have been rated at 20 percent and 10 percent respectively. The Board found no evidence to warrant increased ratings under the applicable criteria.,The Veteran reported constant pain in his knees with flare-ups that limit activities of daily living.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee limitation of flexion and extension have been denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.