Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tendinitis are now rated at 30% effective July 30, 2016. The Veteran's depressive disorder is now rated at 70%. A TDIU has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip and left shoulder osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ankle fracture distal tibia and remanded his claims for initial compensable ratings for nephrolithiasis/kidney stones, degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, bicipital tendon tear, right, and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's SMC based on housebound status is denied as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or TDIU due to a single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of mental health disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, kidney stone condition, right knee disability, left knee disability, osteoarthritis of the cervical spine associated with ankylosing spondylitis, and left hip condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, left knee, and right knee disabilities are now considered service-connected. The sleep apnea was also granted.,Service connection for the bilateral feet is established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities due to conflicting medical findings. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it was expressly raised by the Veteran in connection with his knee disability claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, right foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, and left foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's back and right knee braces, used to treat service-connected disabilities, tended to wear out or tear his clothing. The Veteran was granted annual clothing allowances for the 2011 calendar year for a back brace and a right knee brace. Shoe insoles were not granted as they did not cause damage to his clothing.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, lumbar degenerative arthritis and disc disease, and the related bilateral sciatic radiculopathy as these conditions are found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including painful scars of the bilateral foot and hallux valgus with osteoarthritis, have rendered her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions preclude her from obtaining or maintaining such employment.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not fully complied with and thus, the case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for left shoulder and right knee disabilities have been granted. The claim for a left arm disability is denied, and the claims for right knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that additional evidence, including service treatment records and VA contract examinations, must be considered before a final decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine condition, right lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's TDIU is granted from November 1, 2017 through May 6, 2022. The Board finds remand necessary for a Sharp compliant examination and opinion regarding the back disability, as well as an assessment of functional ankylosis. Additionally, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to additional evidence received since the last VA examination.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for osteoarthritis because no new and material evidence was received, and the Veteran's claims were previously denied in 2011.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there is no evidence of a current disability that was incurred or aggravated by service.

Service connection is granted for a headache disability, back disability (DJD, DDD, osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis, and IVDS), and bilateral foot disability.,The Veteran's headaches began during service in Vietnam. The Board found the evidence at least in relative equipoise that the current diagnosis of chronic headaches had its onset during service.