Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not supported by evidence, and her claims lack a nexus to service.

The Veteran's right thumb degenerative arthritis is granted a 10 percent rating. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The Veteran's request for a higher rating and service connection for right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for gout and entitlement to a TDIU rating are being remanded due to inadequate examination, inextricability of the issues, and need for verification of incarceration status.

The Veteran's left knee conditions, including arthritis, instability, and cartilage issues with frequent locking and effusion, are now rated at 20 percent. The previous ratings for limitation of extension (20%) and instability (10%) have been maintained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The appeal for a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability is dismissed. The case of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for an undiagnosed illness manifested by diarrhea is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for psychomotor epilepsy is denied as he has not experienced seizures during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claimed 'blackouts' are found to be a symptom of his already service-connected psychomotor epilepsy.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left foot degenerative changes with hallux valgus as secondary to his service-connected right foot injury and severe degenerative joint disease of the right knee. The Board found that the Veteran's left foot disability was aggravated by his service-connected right foot and right knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound is remanded due to the need for further examination regarding his reported incontinence symptoms and inability to stand for more than 2 minutes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis and associated left ankle fracture residuals is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Veteran's spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for additional development as the current VA examination is inadequate to rate these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis (lumbar spine disability) due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to provide VA with his outstanding VA treatment records from the Hickory Outpatient Clinic in Asheville, NC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning and lack of consideration of lay statements and in-service treatment records. The Veteran's cervical spine condition is being reviewed for both direct and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at 70 percent, effective March 30, 2020. The appeal for increased rating of left knee osteoarthritis was dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right hip as there is no evidence showing a current disability or causation related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of hearing loss due to incomplete rationale in the September 2018 VA examiner's opinion, lack of relevant VA treatment records from December 2018 to present, and discrepancies between different speech discrimination tests used.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a digestive tract disorder. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of chronic right or left knee problems during active service or within one year after separation from National Guard duty.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The VA needs to conduct a new examination that complies with the requirements of Correia, Sharp, and the previous Board remands.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper and restored the original 20 percent ratings. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical nexus opinions regarding his respiratory condition, migraine headaches, and cervical spine condition. The claims are related to active duty service, including exposure to environmental hazards such as burn pits.