Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and testing to determine the current severity of his hearing loss, knee conditions, and spine condition. The Veteran also needs further examination regarding whether he has right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left hand with tenosynovitis, a sleep disorder secondary to tinnitus, and an effective date prior to November 3, 2014 for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is to be provided with appropriate VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as well as consideration of new evidence. The appeal remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted. The issues of increased rating for lumbar strain and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his low back, right knee, left shoulder, and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Veteran's partial right knee replacement is rated at 30 percent since August 1, 2014. Separate ratings for instability are granted from September 8, 2010 through June 5, 2013 (10 percent) and as of December 11, 2017 (20 percent). The Veteran's TDIU is granted beginning September 26, 2016.

The Veteran’s claim is denied as the RO did not contain clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for residuals of left rib fracture. The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 10 percent for his service-connected TBI, but no higher. His claims for increased ratings for PTSD and Crohn's disease are denied. An earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating for Crohn's disease is also denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for traumatic arthritis of the right ankle has been denied. The Board remanded his claims for service connection and increased ratings for hip and ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition and arthritis due to insufficient medical evidence of record. A VA examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of any lung disorders and the nature and etiology of his arthritis.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is being remanded due to an inadequate August 2016 VA examination. A new examination is needed to address deficiencies in the previous examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations conducted over five years ago. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are causing total social and occupational impairment, and moderately severe or severe impairment in his heels.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent due to degenerative arthritis, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion and instability do not warrant such.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status is denied because he does not meet the necessary requirements under 38 U.S.C. § 1114.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted. The Board found that there was a causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current disabilities.

The Board has decided that a separate rating is needed for the Veteran's right groin pain as it may be a distinct disability from his right hip osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disorder has been reopened, and he is now receiving a 10% rating. His bilateral osteoarthritis of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint continues to be rated at 10%. The decision on these issues remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including his service connection claim and its etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and evaluation of left and right foot disabilities, as well as hip disabilities. The Veteran's current symptoms need to be evaluated by a VA examiner.