Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and a new medical opinion. The Veteran's left shoulder mild tendinosis distal subscapularis tendon is unclear, and his right shoulder disability may be related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his right knee condition, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between his current condition and his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are remanded due to outstanding records from Henry Ford Health System.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations of record are inadequate and do not substantially comply with prior remand directives. The Veteran's right knee, left knee, and low back disabilities need to be re-evaluated due to functional loss from flare-ups and repetitive use over time.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have not met the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding neurological impairment.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, left knee, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral hip disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 1, 2016 due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions precluded him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability and entitlement to a TDIU were denied due to his failure to appear at the scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's left knee arthroplasty is rated at a 60 percent since October 1, 2019. The TDIU claim was denied as the evidence does not show unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder and back disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher rating for his left hand finger ankylosis, eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and loss of use of the left hand special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee, left second toe, and left shoulder conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's migraines are caused by his service-connected left shoulder strain and degenerative arthritis, status post rotator cuff repair with residuals. The Veteran does not have a separate nerve condition or muscle condition of the left shoulder. Service connection for nerve conditions of the neck is remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle capsulitis with osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and since his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to their impact on his upper and lower extremities, as they do not result in loss of use of both upper or lower extremities.

The Board denied increased ratings for left knee limitation of extension and flexion, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further examination and development of his right wrist degenerative arthritis claim.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability, including osteoarthritis, due to exposure to extreme cold temperatures during service. The Veteran's private and VA medical opinions have been reviewed, but they are inadequate as they do not address the specific details of her case, such as her reported symptoms in service and thereafter.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a low back disability due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology and relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service. The case is returned for further development.