Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of his back disability was denied. He is currently rated at 20% for the period after February 14, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding right hip osteoarthritis claimed as secondary to service connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and spondylolisthesis before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left hip replacements due to osteoarthritis, as they are related to service-connected knee and foot injuries.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for convalescence due to left rotator cuff tear and degenerative arthritis was denied as he did not meet the criteria for an extension of benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, contributed to his death from sepsis due to a decubitus ulcer. The Board found that these disabilities rendered him materially less capable of resisting the effects of other causes of death.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorder. The Veteran underwent a total right knee replacement in 2003, and he believes it was related to injuries sustained during active duty service.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted with a 20% evaluation each. The issue of an increased evaluation for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including post-operative residuals and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 20 percent effective April 14, 2009. The issues of increased ratings for the neck disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy are denied. TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 6260 already applies.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and erectile dysfunction (secondary to hypertension) are remanded, while service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee remains pending.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical strain, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, and left knee disability. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for a right shoulder disorder was granted. The claims for increased ratings of the left hand, left knee, and right knee were remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation. A TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for erectile dysfunction is dismissed as he withdrew his claim during the July 2017 Board hearing.,The Veteran’s claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, pulmonary sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), and right lower extremity nerve disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing secondary service connection theories.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a pulmonary sleep disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between his obesity and service-connected disabilities, and whether it was caused or aggravated by his psychiatric disability.,The Veteran’s claim of service connection for a right lower extremity nerve disability is remanded as there are conflicting diagnoses in the medical records regarding this condition.,The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, left knee instability with osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing his functional limitations during the period from August 11, 2011 to September 2012.,The Veteran's claim of increased rating for left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability is remanded as there are conflicting diagnoses in the medical records regarding this condition.,The Veteran’s claims of increased ratings for depression are remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing his functional limitations during the period from August 11, 2011 to September 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, generalized osteoarthritis (OA), hypertension, and a psychiatric disability, claimed as depression, are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied. Obesity is not considered a compensable disability under VA laws and regulations.,Service connection for residuals of left knee prosthetic replacement with painful and limited range of motion is granted at 60 percent effective July 5, 2016.,A separate rating of 10 percent for right knee OA based on limitation of flexion is granted.,The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, and his educational background allows him to perform sedentary work. The Board denies entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with L5/S1 spondylolisthesis and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy require additional examination to determine the current extent of disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and anxiety, were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected left foot disability and if it was aggravated by that condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for aid and attendance or housebound benefits as her surviving spouse, finding that she is not in need of regular aid and assistance from another person due to her medical conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to assess the degree of impairment in terms of range of motion and functional loss.