Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for left ear hearing loss.,Service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied, as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no medical evidence to support the contention that his lumbar spine disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to December 23, 2019 remains denied. Service connection for a cervical spine disability, related to a service-connected lumbar spine disability, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA addendum opinion regarding whether service-connected right leg/knee and/or lumbar spine disabilities caused or aggravated any left foot disability. The Veteran's specific symptoms and individual medical history must be considered.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including osteoarthritis with meniscal tears, are rated at 20 percent each. Separate ratings of 20 percent for instability in both knees have been granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding his left knee, eye disorder, and respiratory disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to outstanding treatment records and a need for a new VA examination. The issues of an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, IVDS and right hip pain, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding increased ratings for several disabilities and service connection claims, including for headaches, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, a left knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee osteoarthritis, limitation of flexion, degenerative disc disease with strain, and upper extremity radiculopathy due to inconsistencies in the October 2019 VA examination report. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant treatment records and schedule new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for evaluation of service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to changes in symptoms since the last VA examination, including new seizures related to the conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to unclear VA treatment records and the need to clarify the Veteran's ratings based on different diagnostic codes used throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral knee conditions were not incurred in or related to service, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left ankles, as well as his claim for a TDIU based on service-connected lumbar spine disability, are being remanded to allow for additional development.,Specifically, the Veteran needs to be provided with VA examinations to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability. Additionally, he should be asked to provide private treatment records from Dr. Crawford/Norton Leatherman.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right knee and hip conditions, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. As such, he is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's IVDS with degenerative arthritis is not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than or equal to 30 degrees, resulting in a denial of an increased rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to an effective date earlier than November 8, 2013, for the award of service connection for right knee strain. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD due to MST) is granted. The issues of rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and left foot plantar fasciitis, service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, service connection for left arm bicep tendonitis, service connection for left knee strain, service connection for sinusitis, service connection for sleep apnea, and finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are all remanded.

The Veteran's clothing allowance claims for topical hemorrhoid medication and capsaicin and lidocaine cream in 2015 have been denied due to lack of evidence showing irreparable damage to outer garments.,VA determined that the medications prescribed for knee conditions did not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance as they were not used for skin conditions.