Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted an effective date of March 12, 2003 for the grant of service connection for PTSD and a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee condition must be reconsidered on the merits rather than as a petition to reopen. Service connection is granted for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, but the issue of service connection for sleep apnea requires further examination and evidence.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, and his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder, wrist, and hand/finger disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of September 8, 2015. The Board has remanded the issues of higher ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, diabetes, and back issues, combine to make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined impact of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as he can manage his daily activities independently.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's knee disabilities and remands the claims for increased ratings, special monthly compensation, and need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and osteoarthritis of the right knee due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident therein. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded issues regarding increased ratings for the Veteran's right thumb and left knee disabilities, finding that additional evidence is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an extension beyond August 31, 2015 for a temporary total rating due to right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis disability following surgery was denied. The Veteran also met the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's L5-S1 spondylolisthesis and L5 spondylolysis were granted a 40 percent disability rating effective January 7, 2014. His service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's April 25, 2013 VA Form 9 was not timely filed and thus denied his appeal regarding service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with L3-L5 fusion, a left testicle condition, and a stomach condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and knee disabilities are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no verified in-service stressors. Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her knee disabilities and bipolar and major depressive disorders were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and opinion regarding service connection for a right elbow disability, specifically addressing whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder), OSA, migraine headaches, and left knee pain are all granted service connection.,Service connection for right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, right leg restless leg syndrome, left leg restless leg syndrome, cervical spine osteoarthritis, and left arm radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to preclude him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment, thus TDIU is granted.

The Board denied a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine prior to August 16, 2011 due to normal range of motion and lack of additional functional loss.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee. The issues of service connection for a left knee disorder and a left ankle disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.