Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, hypertension, and TDIU have been remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and/or automobile adaptive equipment is being remanded due to concerns about his ability to use his feet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected degenerative arthritis in both knees are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA joints examination.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for left knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed.,A separate 10 percent rating, but no higher, for left knee instability from November 5, 2012 is granted. The Veteran’s claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee condition remains denied.,Secondary service connection for back and bilateral hip disabilities are granted.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred during service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lower back condition is related to his service or caused by his right knee disability, and if so, whether it was aggravated by his right knee.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not undergo an increase in disability during his active duty service and was not aggravated beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, hammertoes, and DJD are granted service connection. Service connection for cervical spine disability is also granted, but the rating assigned is only 20 percent, which may not be sufficient given his symptoms. The issue of higher ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding a continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection was denied for diabetes mellitus and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 27, 2013. The Board has granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and left ankle disorder, finding no causal relationship to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee surgery with osteoarthritis and left knee strain due to a need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is granted as service connected, but his bilateral hand arthritis and autoimmune disease claims are denied. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and review of the Veteran's TDIU claim, as it may affect her DEA under Chapter 35.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis has been granted service connection.,The claim for an increased rating for tinea cruris is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his knee and back disabilities, as well as diabetes. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with lateral instability is granted service connection as it manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service and is not attributable to intercurrent causes. The claim for dermatochalasis of the bilateral eyelids is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, left hand osteoarthritis, low back disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee disability, bilateral eye disability, stomach disability, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), and headache disability are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and remanded the issues of service connection for a blood disorder, head injury with residual scar, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The TDIU claim is also remanded.