Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disability and muscle spasms are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's right knee disability with instability and degenerative arthritis was granted an increased rating of 20 percent prior to October 30, 2020. From that date, the claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of a right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and hemorrhoids. The Board has also granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee osteoarthritis, right knee recurrent patellar dislocation and slight instability with right meniscal tear status post arthroscopy, right knee total arthroplasty, and left knee total arthroplasty. The remand is due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to address whether his service-connected bowel dysfunction causes or aggravates his nonservice-connected colon cancer residuals, including incontinence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inconsistencies in medical reports and failure to comply with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy since January 13, 2022.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar, cervical spine, and bilateral hip degenerative arthritis as the evidence did not show a chronic disease or injury during service that caused current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee instability, left knee degenerative arthritis status post patella femoral ligament repair, right knee disability, sinusitis, rhinitis, and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remands and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records from CJW Medical Center and Johnston-Willis Hospital. The claims are also remanded for issuance of an SOC regarding the effective date for a 10% rating for right foot hallux valgus.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is rated at 20 percent effective from July 26, 2022.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis, scars of the left ankle and knee, and skin condition (eczema) have been granted initial ratings. The Veteran is now rated at 50% for his bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip condition, bilateral knee condition, osteoarthritis and bilateral shoulder condition due to insufficient discussion of the McLendon criteria in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disability is being reviewed for its onset during service or as a result of service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to his military noise exposure.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for rhinorrhea (rhinitis) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for right lower extremity sciatica is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for left hip disability (gluteal muscle strain) is remanded due to the need for clarification on pre-service presence of the condition and in-service reports.,Service connection for left leg pain (muscle cramping) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.,Service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its onset during service and post-service treatment history.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his service-connected left hip disabilities was denied. The case is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination assessing the severity of any left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) as it is not clear whether the Veteran's statements regarding his inability to work are credible. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate prior VA examination and missing treatment records. The issues include rating increases for lumbar spine conditions, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.