Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining new VA opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee and lower back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination and treatment records. The case is being returned for a new VA examination, updated medical opinions, and obtaining of additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and medical opinions regarding whether a left hip disability, including osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, is related to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran contends that his current hip condition is due to his service-connected right knee injury.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted an initial increased rating of 40 percent effective December 3, 2019. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine remains rated at 20 percent prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected spondylolysis bilateral L-5 with degenerative arthritis was denied prior to May 17, 2022.,From May 17, 2022, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his back disability was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development. The lumbar spine strain claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while left and right ankle degenerative arthritis claims do not warrant an increase in their current 10% ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required before a final decision can be made on the service connection claim for low back disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and retrospective opinions regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the cases, and his conditions were not found to be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions from VA medical professionals. The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy are currently diagnosed, but there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The left eyebrow linear scar remains at 10 percent. The ratings for right face and neck residual scars are remanded due to insufficient evidence. TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete examination findings and lack of compliance with VA guidelines.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of the appropriate rating(s) to be assigned for the left total knee replacement performed in April 2019 pursuant to the rating criteria under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Board has denied service connection for a left wrist and hand disability, including as secondary to a service-connected left ring finger disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses of left ulnar styloid process fracture, left hand arthritis, and left wrist osteoarthritis are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for his low back strain due to conflicting medical evidence and lack of adequate retrospective opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, foot, shoulder, and back disabilities due to incomplete adjudication of his claims. The AOJ is required to provide a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) addressing these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability during active duty or any in-service injury. The VA examiner confirmed the presence of left knee osteoarthritis and tendinitis but found insufficient evidence to link these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and consideration of his medical history, including VA treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered with additional opinions from appropriate clinicians.