Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether he has rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and unclear findings on a VA examiner's opinion about his transitional vertebrae. Additional development is needed to clarify these issues.

The Veteran's right hip joint replacement residuals are granted a 70 percent rating, while the left hip degenerative arthritis and left thigh limitation of flexion remain at noncompensable ratings. A 100 percent rating is granted for PTSD as of December 9, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis and lumbosacral sprain, as well as whether it was caused or aggravated by these conditions. The claim will be readjudicated after obtaining this information.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The claims are based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, a medical opinion on secondary service connection, and an examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's radiculopathy.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and cardiovascular disability were denied service connection. The Veteran was granted a 70% initial rating for his psychiatric disability prior to May 22, 2020.,TDIU benefits were also granted prior to May 22, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to the lack of credible evidence establishing an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's assertions about experiencing injuries during her assault were not found to be credible.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is able to perform sedentary employment despite his knee and hip conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and other conditions prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for further examination to determine the current severity of his back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-hand disability, including osteoarthritis, Dupuytren's contracture, and peripheral neuropathy, finding that it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted. Service connection is also granted for hypertension. The issues of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial ratings and increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding VA or private treatment records and undertake additional development if necessary.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any current left foot disability is related to active service or caused by other service-connected disabilities.,Claims for higher ratings for chronic sinusitis prior to March 2, 2020, and from March 2, 2020, are both denied. The Veteran has experienced non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis in the past year but no incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's reduction from a 50% to a 10% rating for bilateral pes cavus was denied, and he is now rated at 30%. The appeal is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis resulted in limited flexion, extension, and adduction. A 10 percent rating was granted for limitation of adduction, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for cause of death is remanded due to new and relevant evidence. The VA will readjudicate this issue in the first instance, taking into consideration all of the evidence of record within the applicable period.

VA correctly calculated and paid retroactive compensation benefits to the Veteran for the period from November 2020 through May 2022, but denied additional retroactive payments as no VA compensation benefits were withheld beginning June 1, 2022.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for many daily personal needs and protect himself from the hazards of his daily environment without the assistance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since February 7, 2021. This rating is granted for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing from representing him in all claims before VA.