Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,Prior to August 10, 2022, a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with lumbago is denied due to lack of evidence showing more than limited range of motion and muscle spasm.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to open medical questions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left hip disability, which may be related to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations and requests for a new examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of various service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's nasal fracture, right hip contusion and degenerative arthritis, surgical scars as residuals of liver transplant, anxiety disorder, and hypertension are all denied.,A rating in excess of the current evaluations for these conditions is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing and because some of the issues have new and material evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, along with other service-connected conditions, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since March 19, 2018. The Board grants a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and bilateral hip disabilities due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left ankle osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and strain based on continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance by another person due to her service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, urinary incontinence, migraines, pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome, knee conditions, and sexual arousal disorder. The decision grants SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted, and he is now receiving benefits for variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder. Effective July 5, 2018, the Veteran received a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran also received effective dates for other claims related to hip and knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral leg/knee disorders, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were based on his assertions of in-service trauma leading to current disabilities, but the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right thumb/hand disorders, right elbow and ankle disabilities, left hip strain, neck disability, and left shoulder disability due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot and knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of pes planus, hammertoes, and degenerative joint disease have been continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis, asthma, COPD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since March 2005. The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU for the period from March 22, 2005 to April 22, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims. The Board has also remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as the evidence does not show that any single disability renders her unemployable.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, is rated at 20 percent for instability starting from February 7, 2021. The appeal was granted on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current right hip disability, including osteoarthritis, is related to his right hip injury during active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is noted as a potential factor in his current conditions.