Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis, lung disease (claimed as COPD), hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

Service connection is granted for left shoulder arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.,Service connection is denied for a respiratory disability, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied for myopia gland dysfunction of the bilateral eyes.

The Veteran's claims for left shoulder, left knee, right knee, and bilateral leg conditions are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,Peripheral neuropathy of the feet and legs is also being remanded as there remains a question about whether it exists.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40% since the beginning of the appeal period, and he received separate ratings for loss of use of both feet and special monthly compensation due to his service-connected disabilities. The rating for radiculopathy affecting the left and right lower extremities was granted no more than 40%, effective August 2, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, as he is not bedridden or in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to missing service treatment records and incomplete National Guard service information.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to herbicide exposure is granted. The claim for an increased rating for kyphosis with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and a surgical scar associated with Crohn's Disease is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The claims for increases in the ratings assigned for right ankle ligament strain, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee retropatellar pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis, and mallet little finger, right hand are remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of earlier effective dates for prostate cancer service connection, rating from June 27, 2016 to October 18, 2018, and TDIU prior to November 21, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritis, chronic lumbosacral strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been rated as they are currently manifested. The maximum schedular rating of 50% for bilateral pes planus has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was incurred or aggravated during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in his National Guard service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis status post (s/p) total knee arthroplasty, right knee osteoarthritis s/p total knee arthroplasty, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere’s disease was denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence during service.,Service connection and compensation for degenerative arthritis of spine, radiculopathy of right lower extremity, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic sinus disability were remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Meniere’s disease was denied as there is no evidence of its occurrence during service.,Service connection and compensation for degenerative arthritis of spine, radiculopathy of right lower extremity, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic sinus disability were remanded due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine was received on September 21, 2016. The effective date is set at this receipt date as there are no earlier claims or evidence indicating entitlement to benefits prior to that date.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis, GERD, malaria, and infectious hepatitis are all granted service connection. However, the Veteran's osteoarthritis is denied as it did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for stomach cancer, left and right ankle disabilities, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to new evidence or clarification needed.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding no link between the condition and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, finding it etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities not causing him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.