Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's neck strain with myofascial pain syndrome, degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent since March 25, 2009. The rating was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records from Martin Army Community Hospital and Naval Hospital Pensacola.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his service-connected disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a direct causal relationship between his service-connected conditions and his current right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for shrapnel, left foot, and neuropathy, left foot have been denied. The Veteran currently has a staged rating of 10 percent prior to February 10, 2020, and 30 percent thereafter for his shrapnel, left foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if any diagnosed left knee disability had its onset in service or is otherwise related to the Veteran's reports of sustaining a fall or during physical training in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected right hip, thigh, and knee disabilities due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether he has a muscle injury. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it may be affected by the outcome of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and benefits related to his left upper extremity disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development, including extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of compliance with previous remands and for obtaining updated VA treatment records, as well as private treatment records from relevant providers. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is now pending again.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's in-service back pain and subsequent diagnosis are related to his current condition. The claim was reopened due to new evidence provided since the previous denial.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted a 40% rating from June 3, 2014, to March 16, 2016.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability was granted a 30% rating from June 3, 2014, to October 19, 2016.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues related to the initial ratings and service connection claims. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, right leg sciatic radiculopathy, and right leg meralgia paresthetica (neurological disability associated with the groin).,There is no evidence of any neurological disability until a March 2007 EMG revealed diagnoses of right leg sciatic radiculopathy at the L5-S1 vertebrae and right leg meralgia paresthetica.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right knee conditions and scars is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is now rated at 30 percent, effective from August 23, 2011. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent prior to December 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examinations and needs to provide new VA examinations for the Veteran's cervical spine (neck) and lumbar spine (back) conditions. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed lumbar and sacroiliac arthritis, which is confirmed by radiographic imaging, is related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a low back disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical records and an inadequate VA opinion, requiring further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for updated VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service, but may be aggravated by his lumbar spine disability. The left knee disability is secondary to the right knee disability. The rating for DJD/DDD lumbar spine needs clarification due to conflicting medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service. The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced symptoms of back pain during his deployment in Saudi Arabia and these symptoms have persisted since then.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity and cubital tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are not considered secondary to service-connected lymphatic lymphoma.,Service connection for DJD of the left knee is granted as it is caused by service-connected lymphatic lymphoma. Service connection for osteoarthritis of the left elbow is also granted under the same reasoning.