Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for a lower back disability, but has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and COPD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Achilles tendonitis and cervical spine disability, as well as his claim for service connection for a neck disability. The claims are also remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's gout, right foot degenerative arthritis with pes planus, left foot degenerative arthritis with pes planus, bilateral foot metatarsalgia with hammertoes, and bilateral hallux valgus have been granted service connection as they are related to his service-connected bilateral feet calluses.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with the most recent ratings being 10 percent for each knee since December 16, 2019.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the TDIU claim can be decided. The Veteran's service-connected back disability and other conditions are considered in determining his employability.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is not etiologically related to active service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's right knee rating from non-compensable to 40 percent effective January 1, 2019.

The Veteran's low back condition has worsened, and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to February 27, 2020 was granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from February 27, 2020 was denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board granted entitlement to a 100 percent initial evaluation for left knee degenerative arthritis, status post total left knee replacement surgery under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 from September 1, 2009, to April 16, 2010, and denied an offset reduction of this award.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for a new VA examination due to her failure to report for the scheduled examination and because of changes in her symptoms since the last examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of recent VA and private treatment records, which may provide updated information on his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including updated VA treatment records, a VA psychiatric examination for PTSD, an eye examination for right eye blindness, a VA hypertension examination, and another knee examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left ankle degenerative arthritis, bilateral lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, and right ankle strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's spine injury claim has been reopened, and service connection for a spine injury is granted.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is granted as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is also granted as secondary to service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and type II diabetes mellitus are denied due to failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without showing good cause.,Service connection for a spine injury is remanded, as the Veteran has provided evidence of a fall at a VA facility in November 2014 that may be related to his service-connected conditions. The RO must seek all relevant records and conduct appropriate development regarding this claim.,Entitlement to specially adapted housing and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded, as the Veteran has provided evidence of a spine injury and peripheral neuropathy claims that may be related to VA care.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to treatment for his service-connected back disorder, finding that the September 2017 surgery was unrelated to any service-connected condition and thus not warranting a temporary total evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease (DJD) due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for clarification of diagnoses and functional loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, and claimed lower and mid-back condition with stomach pain.