Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left shoulder impingement and left knee injury with degenerative arthritis were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip joint replacement and impingement, left knee joint osteoarthritis, and a back condition. The Veteran's back condition is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right lower extremity knee and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, together with organic diseases such as coronary artery disease, sinusitis, and hypertension, result in the loss of use of one lower extremity and affect balance and propulsion. The Board grants entitlement to specially adapted housing but dismisses the claim for a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for right knuckle fracture with degenerative arthritis was granted. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left hand disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headache disability, which is secondary to a service-connected neck disability, and for TDIU due to one or more service-connected disabilities. The remand requires an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and his service-connected neck disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to January 30, 2020. The Board has determined that remand is necessary to address this issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right ankle osteoarthritis and lumbosacral spine DDD with IVDS are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of certain medical evidence and lay statements regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral spine were not rated higher than the current levels. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of entitlement to a TDIU based on these conditions alone.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability, as well as his TDIU claim prior to March 29, 2016, are being remanded due to the need for new VA addendum opinions applying the but-for causal standard for secondary service connection.,The Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disorder and left knee disorder may be less severe if not for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of a previous VA examination, and ordered a new one.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a compensable rating for his right shoulder disability prior to December 6, 2012, is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 40 percent for his service-connected right shoulder disability from December 6, 2012, is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis or instability, and denied TDIU prior to September 2, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly ischemic heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities as secondary to his service-connected neck spondylosis with arthritis and low back degenerative arthritis, respectively.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis with strain and a torn anterior cruciate ligament, finding that it is caused by overcompensating for his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical documentation in his file, and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right ankle ligament laxity, shoulder conditions, and other residuals, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 18, 2020. Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits is also established.