Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a cervical neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and no increased rating is warranted.,For the period from January 4, 2012 to January 10, 2017, the Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS warrants a 20 percent rating. However, for the period after January 10, 2017, no higher than a 20 percent rating is warranted.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE) from July 21, 2015 warrants an initial 20 percent rating.,PTSD with depression was rated as 70 percent disabling from July 1, 2015 to January 10, 2017. A TDIU is granted for this period.,TDIU prior to July 1, 2015 and from January 10, 2017 is granted.,An effective date of July 1, 2015 is granted for DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.,Issues related to TDIU prior to July 1, 2015 and from January 10, 2017 are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of certain issues.

For the period from June 18, 2012 to April 16, 2019, an initial disability rating of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,From October 1, 2013, the criteria for a TDIU have been met due to service-connected disabilities precluding substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, as there was no evidence showing he needed regular assistance from another person.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities are dismissed.,A TDIU is granted, effective December 1, 2017.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that it did not have its onset in service and was not caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and additional development is needed, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting left hip condition was aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has decided that there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (also claimed as degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine) secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left knee arthroscopy, finding that his current left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by military service and is not otherwise etiologically related to a right knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and left knee secondary to right knee, due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back and right ankle disabilities due to potential inextricability with other pending claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant records from her SSI claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the left wrist and fingers, including rheumatoid arthritis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is being remanded due to the need for an SSOC.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is being denied due to the Veteran's current employment, and the increased rating claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's lower back disability and associated radiculopathy have been granted increased initial ratings of 20 percent, effective January 22, 2018. Additional development is needed for other issues.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 30 percent, but no more.,Prior to January 22, 2014, the right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent.,From January 22, 2014 to March 4, 2014, the rating for the right ankle increased to 40 percent.,Since June 1, 2014, the Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 20 percent.,The scars of the bilateral lower extremities have been rated as 20 percent since October 5, 2017.,Effective from June 12, 2015, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is presumed to have been incurred in combat service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.