Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, and he needs an examination to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and left rib cage cracked bone pain due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's request for self-employment assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) was granted. The decision found that the Veteran has a serious employment handicap due to his service-connected disabilities, which necessitated selection of self-employment as the only reasonably feasible vocational goal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the service connection of left sacroiliac joint separation and its relationship to in-service events.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease with sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome was manifested by limitation of motion to 50 degrees of forward flexion, resulting in a combined range of motion of 125 degrees. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating as it did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied because the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it originated in service or within one year after service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a bilateral knee disability, low back disorder, and bilateral leg condition. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Campbell Clinic regarding the Veteran's December 2016 lumbar spine surgery and follow-up care.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations in the previous rating decisions. The Board requires a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disabilities, including pain, weakness, fatigability, or incoordination.

The Board has remanded the claims for further review due to new evidence and examinations being added to the record.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities were granted initial noncompensable ratings prior to July 15, 2019. Ratings of 10% each were assigned for the period from July 15, 2019 onwards.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods prior to and since August 26, 2011 were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a combined 100% disability rating due to multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as non-compensable.,The Veteran's left ankle condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine disability and status post right pneumothorax were denied. The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee internal derangement and osteoarthritis are rated at 20 percent from August 13, 2010 to June 21, 2012.,A separate 10 percent rating for right knee laxity is granted effective August 13, 2010. A third 20 percent rating is granted for post-repair residuals of a right knee medial meniscus tear.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, but remanded the issue of service connection for chronic sinusitis due to new evidence added without a waiver.

The Board has decided that an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left shoulder disability is denied. The case is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination due to the inadequacy of the previous one.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to address service connection claims and rating issues. The Veteran's incarceration in a prison facility is noted.