Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating beyond 30 percent, as there were no chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the right knee.

The Veteran's special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance has been granted, effective from his death in December 2021.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been submitted and the claims for service connection must be remanded to allow for further review by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current ratable disability.,His right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left foot disabilities, as well as shin splints, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headaches. The claims are based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination. The issues include right inguinal hernia, left hip condition (osteoarthritis), right hip condition (osteoarthritis), and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including affording new knee examinations and obtaining opinions regarding the likely etiology of his bilateral hamstring weakness, right ankle weakness, and bilateral knee 'bucking'.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions regarding his hip and thigh disabilities due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his need for aid and attendance or housebound status was also denied due to the lack of evidence linking his disabilities to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral radiculopathy, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As his combined rating is at least 70%, TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee instability, degenerative disk disease of the lumbosacral spine, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of October 29, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hip disabilities, including thigh impairment, and associated lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the nature and severity of his back disability and ED. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and wrist disabilities has been granted.,Service connection is denied for a left wrist disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the back, shoulder, hand, finger, and knee joints is denied. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle joint is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The claim will be reviewed with a new VA opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right wrist, hand, and thumb disabilities. The residuals of ulnar collateral ligament tear and ulnar nerve transfer surgery are also granted as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's back condition (degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis) is not related to his military service and was denied. The issue of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded.