Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to his in-service parachute jumps.

The Board has remanded the case for further action consistent with the terms of a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected PTSD is being remanded, as well as his TDIU prior to September 13, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type 2, bilateral hip disability, and left knee disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected bronchitis and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s disability picture did not more nearly approximate the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 6600, and concluded he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his migraines and mental health issues.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his right hand injury with degenerative arthritis is remanded due to duty to assist error. An additional VA examination is needed to assess the orthopedic manifestations of his condition.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original disability rating of 20 percent for her right knee conditions and granted a revised effective date of May 2, 2018 for the reduction in evaluation.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service and a rating of 10 percent has been assigned.,Service connection for allergies, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been granted. Service connection for left hamstring condition was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for depressive disorder was denied. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands were granted, while service connection for PTSD, hearing loss, and lower back pain was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, as well as housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's viral myocarditis and hypertension were not incurred in service, nor are they related to his active duty. The Board has denied these claims.,For the osteoarthritis claim, the Veteran is seeking service connection based on it being secondary to a service-connected left knee condition. This requires further development as no VA examination has been conducted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to address the severity of her cervical spine condition, as well as her right arm, bilateral hand, and bilateral upper extremity conditions. The VA will need to obtain updated medical records and conduct new examinations to determine the current nature and extent of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left distal tibia fracture is found to be the primary cause of his degenerative disc disease, sacroiliac joint strain, cervical spine arthritis, bilateral hip arthritis, and fibromyalgia.,Service connection for major depressive disorder secondary to service-connected left distal tibia fracture has been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to May 24, 2017 and for an increased rating greater than 20 percent from that date. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as a low back condition) due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between her current disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and private provider information. The Veteran may also undergo a VA examination to assess his current low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected hypothyroidism has been granted a 60 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The reduction in the left thumb disability rating was restored to 10 percent. Service connection for diabetes mellitus and an acquired psychiatric disorder (mood disorder) have also been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disability was granted effective February 5, 2016. The appeal regarding the assignment of an earlier effective date for this rating is dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and spinal stenosis, effective October 3, 2018. The effective date was determined based on the petition to reopen the claim received by VA on that day.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been dismissed as no adequate substantive appeal has been submitted.,The October 2012 rating decision denying service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.