Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's heart condition, seizures, bilateral eye disabilities (right and left), and migraines were not found to be related to his service.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and PTSD.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10% for instability and arthritis, but the rating was reduced to 0%. The noncompensable limitation of motion in the knee was also granted. The appeal is remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back disability and radiculopathy, including rating determinations for different periods of time and effective date determinations. The main reasons are due to inadequate statements of reasons or bases in previous decisions regarding functional ankylosis of the spine and earlier reports of radiating pain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis in the lumbar spine, including degenerative arthritis and DDD, is granted. The issue of service connection for TBI residuals is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for a right leg joint condition, including osteoarthritis of the right knee and/or right hip. The matter must be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's left knee instability and degenerative arthritis are rated at different levels based on the period of time. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's back, left knee, and major depressive disorder have been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded for further examination to determine if his erectile dysfunction is related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left knee osteoarthritis disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to in-service complaints of bilateral knee pain.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was granted service connection because it had its onset in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining a VHA determination on eligibility for dental treatment and an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed dental disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a left knee disability and has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not by themselves cause him to require aid and assistance in accomplishing the activities of daily living and render him unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of his daily environment. Therefore, SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Veteran's right knee condition is aggravated by his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, arthritis of the left hip, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to incomplete records. The VA is required to obtain any outstanding pertinent VA treatment records and private treatment records related to the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, spondylosis and discogenic disease, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran's preexisting scoliosis was aggravated by active service and progressed to his current back disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the examination reports and for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including GERD, left knee condition, right hip strain, thoracolumbar spine, gastric ulcer/gastritis, left talus non-displaced fracture, right ankle tendonitis, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The decision also includes a request for new VA examinations for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a complete October 2014 examination report and requesting an opinion on retroactive application of range of motion testing results.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as presumptively associated with his presumed exposure to herbicide agents under the PACT Act. Other conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for right hip osteoarthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome with limitation of extension, limitation of flexion, and impairment of the thigh have been denied. The reduction in the rating for left hip osteoarthritis and femoral acetabular impingement syndrome with limitation of extension from 10 percent to 0 percent was improper, and the prior 10 percent rating has been restored.