Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to additional VA treatment records being added to the Veteran's file.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's left hip condition, which may be related to service or secondary to his service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for flat feet, degenerative arthritis of the feet, hypertension, high cholesterol, tinnitus, and urinary problems have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, and schizophrenia related to his low back disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right and left hip disabilities, including osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis with a hip replacement, are granted as service-connected effective July 19, 2018.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated based on partial replacement and limited extension. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain another VA examination in order to appropriately rate the Veteran's right knee disability under the Diagnostic Codes.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for headaches and bilateral hearing loss as they have been granted by a separate rating decision.,The Veteran's right knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis are now service-connected, but the issue of bilateral ear disability (otitis media) is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The effective date of service connection for cervical strain is denied as it does not meet the criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues, specifically the use of an improper form for filing a notice of disagreement. The AOJ will issue a statement of the case (SOC) addressing his claims for service connection for mental health disorder other than insomnia disorder, initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and initial compensable evaluation for ingrown toenail.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hand and right knee disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated again with additional examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's neck disability prior to March 29, 2019 did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent due to limited range of motion and no ankylosis.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left hip disabilities, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, both related to the Veteran's military service.,Both issues were remanded due to a lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disability is related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective May 1, 2015. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability and rating higher than 40 percent for nerve impairment associated with right shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar stenosis and degenerative arthritis, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service heavy lifting duties and his current diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tears, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding a finding that these conditions are caused by the Veteran's in-service weightlifting injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further development is required.

All issues on appeal are granted. Service connection is established for sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD, back disability (including arthritis due to trauma and degenerative arthritis), polycythemia (claimed as leukemia) due to presumed herbicide exposure from Gulf War service, and heart disability due to presumed herbicide exposure from Gulf War service.

All claims of increased rating and effective date have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in May 2022.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA opinion and potential missing medical records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is being reviewed again.

The Board denied service connection for back, left hip, right hip, and left ankle disabilities as the Veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to be related to his active duty service.