Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, OSA, IBS, TBI, cervical spine disability, and osteoarthritis of the left knee. The effective dates for these issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities and a TBI, have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The issues include right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, aggravation of preexisting migraine headaches, low back disability, right ankle disability, and traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, including as secondary to the service-connected left knee strain, due to lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's current back disability was caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of prescription medications purchased in Pakistan is denied because the medications are not used for a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance due to his service-connected right arm condition was denied because he did not file the application within one year of the anniversary date for which entitlement was established.

The case is being remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically for a VA examination and opinion on the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to outstanding private medical records and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, including whether it is related to his military service or if it was caused by his service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a respiratory disorder (walking pneumonia), and ulcers. The appeal is being remanded to obtain an examination for osteoarthritis.,Service connection for osteoarthritis will be considered on the merits.

The Board has determined that there is a 50/50 balance of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is being remanded for further evaluation due to a claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms and range of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to October 14, 2016, and for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability due to issues related to service connection. An additional VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from February 8, 2015 until April 12, 2018 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient opinions in the January 2018 VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, sciatica, and diverticulitis. The claims are also remanded for an addendum opinion from the examiner on whether the service-connected ulcerative colitis caused or aggravated the Veteran's diverticulitis.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with right achilles tendonitis is rated at 10 percent disabling, effective February 3, 2009. The Veteran also received a TDIU for the periods from February 3, 2009 through August 2, 2011 and from May 1, 2018 to present.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left arm disabilities. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the feet, hands, wrists, ankles, shoulders, and hips are found to be causally or etiologically due to service.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C and right foot disability were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,Memory loss is considered a symptom of the service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety, so it does not warrant separate service connection.