Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is found to be at least as likely as not incurred during service, and therefore service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injury and ongoing symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected abdominal shell fragment wound and left hip disability, as well as his claim for specially adaptive housing and special home adaptation due to inextricably intertwined issues. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied as the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder did not have its onset during active service and is not related to active service. The claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis, to include as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition, has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance is granted. The claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy are denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or limitation of motion beyond what is already reflected in the current 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service. The claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability is remanded due to a need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's current complaints regarding his lumbar spine condition suggest a worsening since the last examination in January 2012.

The Veteran's right wrist, ankle, and knee disabilities are found to be related to service. Her acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. His major depressive disorder is granted a 100% rating, and his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains at 50%. The case is remanded for further development regarding the lower back condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis of the shoulders, is not causally or etiologically related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's TBI and bilateral visual disability claims are denied. His bilateral hearing loss and low back disabilities are granted, but his knee disabilities remain not established.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including cervical and lumbar spine conditions and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The Board has determined that an effective date prior to August 23, 2011 is not warranted for these claims.,The Veteran also sought earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities. These requests were denied as well.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to May 6, 1999, and the evidence does not indicate he was unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions alone for any period.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as there is no legal or factual basis to assign a date prior to August 27, 2008.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of right knee osteoarthritis and medial meniscal tear are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar degenerative disc disease and IVDS, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The other claims were not addressed as they have been narrowed or resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected right thumb and right index finger disabilities are currently rated at the maximum schedular level (20 percent), with no additional functional impairment warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability, to include degenerative arthritis, is related to service and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back, knee, and ankle disabilities that result in difficulty with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, preparing meals, and medication management.