Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disability and right shoulder disability due to incomplete examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left knee strain due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disorders are found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's current right foot skin disorder (jungle rot fungus and onychomycosis) is also found to be related to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to active duty service and aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted as service connected, with all doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has remanded this case due to its inextricability with the right hip claim, and it will be addressed again after the right hip claim is adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and neck disabilities, as well as left upper extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The effective dates of the decisions are not provided.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral radiculitis and spinal stenosis, finding that it is etiologically related to the Veteran's in-service back injury. The issues of service connection for residuals of a cold weather injury of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, right hip degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension, and left hip degenerative arthritis were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes sufficient to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to evaluate her cervical spine disability, with particular focus on functional loss and pain. The case will be reviewed again after considering any additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to insufficient examination findings, including a lack of non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing range of motion assessments. The Veteran may experience functional ankylosis during flare-ups.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and patellofemoral syndrome, was denied a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings. The left knee disabilities were also denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to worsening of the Veteran's service-connected right knee and right foot disabilities, as evidenced by his recent purchase of a brace. New VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's asthma is granted as service connected. The issues of a separate compensable rating for ilio-hypogastric and/or ilio-inguinal neuropathy, service connection for plantar fasciitis, right knee degenerative arthritis (post meniscal repair), and left knee degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis, anterior cruciate ligament tear, medial meniscal tear, parameniscal cyst, and shin splints, is being remanded for further examination and opinion as the VA medical examinations are inadequate.