Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar spine and lumbosacral neuritis/radiculopathy disabilities are granted as secondary to her service-connected left knee arthritis.,Her bipolar disorder is granted based on evidence showing it had its onset during service, with symptoms continuing since then.,Her sleep apnea is granted as secondary to her service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, but has remanded the cases of residuals of a nasal fracture and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability resulting from an injury or disease during active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine claims are remanded for additional development. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's GERD and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are granted as service-connected. The Veteran is also awarded TDIU for part of the period on appeal.

The Veteran's right knee disorders are found to be related to his service-connected bilateral foot conditions, and the claim is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal to restore service connection for mood disorder NOS, which was previously severed. The rating decisions regarding knee conditions remain pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Board has decided that the initial rating for left knee strain with moderately severe osteoarthritis should be remanded due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in 2012 and 2016. A new examination is required, including retrospective findings regarding pain on range of motion testing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is granted. The appeal for non-service-connected pension benefits is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the right upper extremity (RUE), and peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the left upper extremity (LUE). The Veteran's claims were not based on presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral foot, hip, and ankle osteoarthritis, as well as lumbar spine myositis and atopic dermatitis, all of which were related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of the temporary total evaluation and increased rating for her left shoulder degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that there were no grounds to extend the convalescence period beyond what had already been granted following her November 2015 surgery.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of right knee disability due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's current lumbar spine diagnoses are also being reviewed as part of this process.

The Veteran's spouse is not found to be in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as she can manage her daily activities with assistance when needed.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.,The Veteran’s claims for higher ratings related to lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and Bell's Palsy were not addressed as they are not on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance for an automobile and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has ordered the remand of two issues related to the Veteran's knee disabilities due to insufficient examination findings regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee patellofemoral compartment osteoarthritis status post patella fracture, finding that his current condition is related to a pre-existing injury during active duty.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted service connection and rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is granted a 10 percent rating, with periods of higher ratings pending further evaluation.