Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and left elbow disorders, finding that the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being required. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of chronicity during or within presumptive periods after service, and continuity of symptomatology since separation from service is not established. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of a cane or wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and incomplete record. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his cervical spine and right upper extremity radiculopathy are now pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, finding that he does not require regular aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis with tendonitis and sprain, but remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD).

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent from February 27, 2015, to July 30, 2015. From July 31, 2015, to October 23, 2017, the rating was increased to 20 percent for pain, locking, and effusion; subluxation or instability requiring a brace; and limitation of motion during flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the disabilities and active military service.,There is no medical or other competent evidence linking the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, upper extremity radiculopathies, to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left elbow reconstruction and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between his in-service injury and current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and left eye disability due to incomplete development of records, including in-patient treatment records from Tripler Army Medical Center. The VA is instructed to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational experience, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain private treatment records and arrange for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added since the last decision, and the Veteran did not respond within the required timeframe. The AOJ will review the new evidence and issue a decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back condition, including degenerative arthritis, finding that there is relative equipoise in the evidence regarding whether his current disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or need for regular aid and attendance prior to December 14, 2019 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless that he required regular assistance.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD has been dismissed.,An earlier effective date of September 29, 2015 has been granted for the 70 percent rating for PTSD.,An earlier effective date of September 29, 2015 has also been granted for TDIU.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) has been granted from November 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disorders due to a motor vehicle accident in 1971. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, mild degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatica, and PTSD are being remanded due to incomplete development. Additional records need to be obtained, including VA treatment records from VistA Imaging and private chiropractic and physical therapy records. The Veteran's work history must also be updated.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support an in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The VA will obtain all the missing treatment records and then readjudicate the claims.