Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent since May 19, 1999. The appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip AVN as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no nexus between the two conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine resulted from carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill by VA personnel during his August 2010 hospitalization at the Asheville VAMC.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, sciatica in either lower extremity, and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if his hearing loss was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is granted service connection as secondary to his right shoulder disability. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis and spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and TDIU prior to July 7, 2016, are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathy were evaluated, with the lumbar spine condition receiving a 20% rating from July 15, 2013. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy each received a 20% rating from August 2, 2022.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including congenital transitional vertebra anatomy at L5/S1, is granted as service-connected.,Right and left lower extremity sciatica are also granted as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU effective September 30, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hand, effective January 28, 2019. The earlier effective dates for arthritis of the left index finger and ring fingers were also granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 2, 2018 is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The secondary service connection claims for bilateral hip and ankle disabilities are also pending.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis rating was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent, but the reduction was improper due to procedural errors. The Board has restored the original 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left ankle sprain-remote due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate VA examinations prior to the June 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of SMC based on A&A. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on being housebound is moot due to the greater monetary benefit provided by SMC at the A&A rate.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right knee disability, and anxiety disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, and hypertension have not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right and left knee disabilities. The thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disability claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis is granted service connection, and the hearing loss claim remains denied. The TBI residuals claim is remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded due to conflicting opinions. SMC based on loss of use is also remanded.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for degenerative arthritis and strain of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy to their previous levels from August 1, 2020.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand, and he has a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine that is secondary to his service-connected right proximal fibular fracture.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, GERD, right elbow disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are not related to his military service.