Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

Your service connection claims for left and right shoulder conditions have been granted, effective June 20, 2008. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for psoriasis and a right foot disability, including hammertoes and degenerative arthritis. The reasons are that the Board failed to address evidence in the record regarding periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and/or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left hand joint pain and right hand joint pain have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal during a hearing before the undersigned.,Service connection has been granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, headaches, and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. For the left knee disability with limitation of motion prior to September 27, 2016, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted due to noncompensable limitation of motion. For residuals of total left knee replacement surgery from November 1, 2017, a rating in excess of 30 percent is also denied.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right hip bursitis, flexion impairment, and extension impairment have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for right shoulder strain, degenerative arthritis of the right elbow and cervical spine, and right hip strain. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee disability with limitation of extension is granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability was restored to a 30 percent rating effective January 1, 2017. The right and left knees were both remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings and TDIU benefits have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by her representative.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant were denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her acquired psychiatric disorder and physical conditions such as headaches, foot disorders, knee disorders, and ear drum disorder, rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history as of July 12, 1996. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar discogenic disease.,Service connection for a hiatal hernia is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and lumbar spondylosis and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has expanded the Veteran's claim to include sacroiliac strain, spondylolisthesis of the fifth lumbar vertebra, osteoarthritis, and degenerative changes with radiculopathy. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids have been rated at 20 percent since March 19, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran’s persistent bleeding from his hemorrhoids warranted a higher rating prior to this date.,For the left scaphoid fracture with osteoarthritis and residual superficial radial neuropathy, the Board denied any increase in ratings as there was no evidence of ankylosis or severe incomplete paralysis of the radial nerve.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right-hand disability was initially granted a 30 percent evaluation prior to November 2, 2006. From that date onwards, the disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including osteoarthritis of the hands and respiratory issues, all related to exposure to herbicides. The Veteran was not provided a DRO hearing as requested.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated. The Veteran’s VA treatment records need to be updated, and he should be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to assess his current disability levels.