Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to January 20, 2020 do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. From January 20, 2020, the Veteran has a combined schedular rating of 100 percent and TDIU cannot be granted on the basis of one service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine on a direct basis.,However, the Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a bilateral eye condition (secondary to service-connected Meniere's disease).

The Veteran's right foot disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and information about the January 2017 VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active military service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disability and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded because the March 2020 VA examination report did not comply with the holding in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016), and there were pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors regarding obtaining private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying eligibility for PCAFC benefits was inadequate, as it did not address whether the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). The case is being remanded to conduct an updated medical review.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors prior to the January 2020 rating decision on appeal and remands the case for further development.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities has been granted, resulting in special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder is now rated at 70 percent, effective July 1, 1996.,Service connection for Right Knee Degenerative Arthritis was granted with an effective date of July 1, 1996.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, a left shoulder disability, and gout due to the absence of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There is no medical evidence linking any current left knee, left shoulder, or gout disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and knee conditions. The claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and knee conditions. The claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's hearing loss and knee conditions. The claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis will be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability due to inadequate opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran's right knee condition is presumed to have existed prior to service, but there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that it was aggravated by service. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether the current right knee disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back condition prior to August 7, 2019 was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or IVDS.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right sciatic radiculopathy from August 7, 2019 onwards was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or IVDS with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and factual disputes regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing medical records and schedule a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis due to insufficient range of motion measurements in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a denial of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection and related issues due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence and a need for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's low back disability and his active service.