Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pulmonary hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and multiple joint issues, render him in need of regular aid and assistance due to his inability to perform daily activities without help. SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's left knee gouty osteoarthritis was granted a rating of 20 percent beginning December 21, 2018. His right knee gouty osteoarthritis and limitation of extension associated with his left knee were not rated higher.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and a temporary total disability rating. The main issue is that further medical examinations are needed due to the passage of time since previous evaluations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a retrospective opinion regarding functional loss of the Veteran's back and knees during earlier periods of the appeal. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations, outstanding VA treatment records, and potential new evidence. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, including details about flare-ups and their impact on range of motion. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his current disability level.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 24, 2014, through July 19, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right-hand, pain, numbness, and tingling for the right upper extremity, and pain, numbness, and tingling for the left upper extremity as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine DDD and left foot disability, including calcaneal cubid joint osteoarthritis and retrocalcaneal bursitis, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left femur malunion. The decision also grants service connection for left foot drop, which is now service connected.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after discharge. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, disc syndrome due to trauma at T11 and T12 with back strain is denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disability to include asbestosis and a rating higher than 30 percent for degenerative arthritis with Pellegrini-Steida disease of the left knee, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and low back disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran’s conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and right shoulder condition, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service connection for left eye cataracts, liver disease, pityriasis rosacea, left knee osteoarthritis, right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension has been restored or reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis and labral tear has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review the other issues as they are currently being developed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners. The claims will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's hallux valgus with pes planus and degenerative arthritis of the left foot is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for acquired unilateral flatfoot. The evidence does not show unilateral hallux valgus with operated resection of the metatarsal head or severe symptoms equivalent to amputation of the great toe.

The Veteran's increased rating for retinal pigment epithelial changes of the left eye and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee have been granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right and left knee conditions, as well as her chronic right shoulder sprain, are service-connected. However, due to new evidence related to her eye condition, the case is being remanded for further review by the AOJ.