Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, a left shoulder disability, and gout due to the absence of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no medical evidence linking any current left knee, left shoulder, or gout disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and knee conditions. The claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and knee conditions. The claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and knee conditions. The claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability due to inadequate opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's right knee condition is presumed to have existed prior to service, but there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it was aggravated by service. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether the current right knee disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back condition prior to August 7, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or IVDS.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right sciatic radiculopathy from August 7, 2019 onwards was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or IVDS with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and factual disputes regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis due to insufficient range of motion measurements in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a denial of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and related issues due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence and a need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and back conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups or with repeated use over time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his left knee scar, right and left knee medial-lateral instability, and synovitis and osteoarthritis of the right knee with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left foot bullet wound including degenerative arthritis with residual scars was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's lay testimony established the occurrence of in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity.

The Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss, but the issue of higher evaluation for cervical spine degenerative arthritis remains remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,Service connection is also granted for left lower extremity neurological disability (lumbar radiculopathy).,The claim for right lower extremity neurological disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to right knee osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected left knee strain due to inadequate VA etiological opinions and lack of a copy of the examiner's curriculum vitae.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that the Veteran's flexion and extension did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of February 19, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and duty-to-assist errors.