Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and she is now entitled to a 10% rating for right knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis. The claim for migraine headaches has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders due to incomplete records, including missing VA treatment records from his first period of service. The Veteran must be provided with an additional VA examination to address his claims.

The Veteran's right elbow un-united fracture with ulnar entrapment is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the right elbow remains unchanged.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left hip is found to be related to service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his left hip, right hip, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, major depressive disorder (MDD), and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings and effective dates for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hearing loss. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding direct service connection and secondary service connection for a back condition. The Veteran's statements about his service and back condition are found not credible.

The Board granted increased ratings for left knee plica syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and carpal tunnel syndromes (right and left), with a combined rating of 100 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to new evidence indicating an increase in severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied multiple times due to the character of his discharge, but were reopened and granted effective June 24, 2015.,PTSD with alcohol dependence (in full remission) was granted effective June 24, 2015.

The Board is remanding the earlier effective date claims for right knee arthritis, right knee scar, left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine stenosis with DJD, and LLE lumbar radiculopathy. The increased rating claims are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for osteoarthritis/polyarthritis, cervical spine disability, and bilateral foot disability due to inadequate opinions from VA examinations. Further development is needed.

The Veteran's 40% rating for left knee moderate osteoarthritis has been restored, effective August 1, 2011. The appeal regarding an effective date prior to August 1, 2011 is dismissed as moot due to the restoration of the 40% rating. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being submitted after the last decision.