Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected depressive reaction does not render him so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor did it cause him to be housebound. Therefore, SMC based on need for aid and attendance or due to being housebound is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for Reiter's syndrome is denied. The Board has also remanded the TDIU claim due to the need for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 based on surgery performed in June 2014, finding that the surgery was unrelated to his service-connected right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis and did not meet the requirement of treatment for a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a 100% rating, and service connection for various conditions including pulmonary disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral upper extremity nerve disorder, bilateral hip/thigh disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine (back pain). The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further consideration of multiple issues, including a TDIU claim and the rating of various disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, and the issues of rating his service-connected conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to be severe enough to require regular aid and attendance or render him permanently housebound, as his need for assistance was attributed to non-service connected disabilities. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, based on the opinion of a VA medical expert who concluded that the Veteran's current knee conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service as a paratrooper.

The Board found that the reduction in disability rating for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis changes of the lumbosacral spine from 20 to 10 percent, effective October 1, 2013, was proper. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's hypertension requires continuous medication but does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with herniated disc.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating for right shoulder arthropathy, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and TDIU due to unemployability. Additional medical records are needed, as well as an updated VA examination for both right shoulder and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis prior to November 22, 2011 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 60 degrees or less, a combined range of motion of 120 degrees or less, ankylosis, or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis. The claim for a higher rating from November 22, 2011 was also denied because the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain and spinal fusion, but denied the claim as there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between the current disability and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and denied his claims for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim, but did not find a causal relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent from December 6, 2017 to August 30, 2018. The RO reduced the rating for his left lower extremity disability from 20 percent to zero percent effective July 1, 2017 and restored it to 20 percent thereafter. He is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his shoulder and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). The Veteran's attorney and the RO have not provided the Veteran with a copy of the July 2018 administrative decision outlining procedures taken to locate the records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims. The issues include ratings for various conditions, effective dates for service connection awards, and the reduction of a rating.

The Veteran's right wrist condition is related to his service-connected right ankle disability.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is attributable to a service-connected disability (unspecified depressive disorder).,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder originated during his active service.