Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition as aggravated by his service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reduction in rating from 10 percent to 0 percent for left hip trochanteric bursitis with degenerative arthritis - impairment of thigh, effective December 18, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher initial rating for his neck degenerative arthritis was granted. The effective date is set at December 29, 2016, and the current disability rating remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reenter a VR&E program at the 'rehabilitation to the point of employability' status, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from performing the duties of his previous occupation and he had overcome any vocational impairment.

The Board denied service connection for a dental condition (gum disease), a back condition, and headaches. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran's conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.,Specifically, there was no credible evidence showing that the Veteran had any of the listed dental conditions recognized for compensation purposes under 38 C.F.R. § 4.150. For the back condition, the Board found no link between current degenerative arthritis and service. And for headaches, the VA examiner concluded they were acute during service with no chronicity post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left hip osteoarthritis with degenerative arthritis other than post traumatic due to insufficient examination addressing aggravation.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's tension headaches are caused by his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and paraspinal muscle strain, cervical strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or continuity of symptoms since separation from service and concluding that the current right shoulder disabilities did not have their onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder to include TBI, and posttraumatic headaches are denied. The claim for restoration of the 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the submission of additional issues not addressed in previous AOJ decisions. The TERA exposure and development is also required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of recurrent bronchitis, left knee disorder, and neck disorder is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues are related to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left ankle condition were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, cervical spine condition, and sciatic nerve condition were also denied as the evidence does not support a connection to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected IVDS is dismissed. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating during the period from April 30, 2019, to August 15, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The claims for cervical strain and right knee disorders have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck condition and a left knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence supports a link between his back condition and his leg pain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability, finding that there was no direct evidence linking his current degenerative arthritis to his military service. The Board also noted that continuity of symptomatology since service could not be established and that presumptive service connection based on exposure to Agent Orange or other conditions did not apply.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201 for limitation of motion. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including right upper extremity radiculopathy with muscle atrophy, major depressive disorder, and other disabilities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, prepare meals, attend to the wants of nature, and require assistance for driving. The Board has determined that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left foot disabilities due to outstanding private treatment records from Dr. Groner that have not been obtained.