Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the appellant's claims for nonservice-connected death pension and special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person, or by reason of being housebound due to insufficient evidence showing she is in need of such benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning and bases for its decision, specifically regarding whether arthritis is consistent with the Veteran's combat service. The case will be returned for further examination and medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and headaches, as well as his TDIU claim due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.,The Veteran’s adjustment disorder with depressed mood is rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability should be remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his self-treatment during and after service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right leg disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for various service-connected disabilities as the Veteran did not file a proper claim prior to February 17, 2016.

The claim of service connection for a right knee disorder, to include a total right knee replacement and right knee degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The Veteran's claim has been reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for a 'medical' disability and remanded the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain relevant medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back condition is not related to service or his service-connected residuals, left big toe fracture. The evidence does not show a nexus between the Veteran’s current diagnosed back condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for left wrist tendonitis and residuals of fractured coccyx are denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence of a disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder torn tendon with tendonitis and bursitis is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding in-service diagnoses.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow tendonitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, torn meniscus, and osteoarthritis, as well as left knee patellofemoral syndrome are all remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding in-service diagnoses.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle torn ligament is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding in-service diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of February 2014 left toe surgery, finding that there was no additional disability caused by VA care and treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, as his inability is due to Alzheimer’s/dementia. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's hip and cervical spine disorders are being remanded for further examination and development. The claims will be evaluated based on the merits of the service connection.

The Board granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome but denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left ankle osteoarthritis due to inadequate development.

The Board has denied service connection for a right little finger disability and remanded the claims of service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, allergic rhinitis, foot fungus (likely athlete's foot), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability, and left shoulder rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are granted service connection as they are secondary to his service-connected right knee conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition, finding it at least as likely as not related to active service and secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee synovitis is denied.