Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral total hip replacements for osteonecrosis, diabetes mellitus (DM), left and right hip osteoarthritis claims have been denied. The knee condition claim is pending due to insufficient evidence. Special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status are also pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent, with a higher rating of 40 percent since March 1, 2019. The right knee disability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is being remanded due to a lack of supporting medical evidence. The AOJ must provide the Veteran with an opportunity to submit a statement from Dr. R.L., who provided a medical opinion during his Board hearing, and any other relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection is granted for right knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee arthroplasty and left knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis, also claimed as labral tears and bursitis is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The Board also found that there was no nexus between the current lumbar spine disability and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of May 20, 1993.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected sleep apnea. The Board finds that the evidence of record is insufficient to address the Veteran’s contention that his sleep apnea warrants higher than a 50 percent rating.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder arthritis and impingement syndrome, left shoulder glenohumeral arthritis, lower back degenerative joint disease, and anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 28, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of any diagnosed neurological abnormality, specifically meralgia paresthetica. The Veteran's service connection claims for back disorder, right leg disorder, and left leg disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy was granted in an August 2019 rating decision, rendering the issue moot.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine was granted, and subsequent manifestations of degenerative arthritis in the left hip and bilateral big toes are considered as a manifestation of this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The issues of service connection for high blood pressure, seizures, hepatitis C, degenerative arthritis of the spine with back pain, and fragment in left knee are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral knee conditions, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, muscle tension headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient examination opinions and new evidence submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and remanded other issues related to hearing loss, foot disabilities, and spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether a right hip disability is caused or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's osteoarthritis and edema are related to his service-connected frostbite. The VA examiner will need to conduct imaging tests and ultrasounds to assess these conditions.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from June 27, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disability (osteoarthritis) and remanded the issue of service connection for a left knee disability.