Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The Board denied an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA eligibility due to the lack of evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable prior to June 2, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is related to an in-service injury and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound and aid and attendance has been denied as she does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral eye condition, depression, right knee degenerative arthritis, high blood pressure (hypertension), left hip arthritis (status post hip replacement), and obstructive sleep apnea due to a lack of medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues of service connection for lumbosacral strain, fibromyalgia, and Charcot foot are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eating disorder, fatigue (secondary to PTSD), foot pain, post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and a right shoulder condition are denied. The Board has remanded the cases due to duty-to-assist errors.,The Veteran's claims of residuals from a back injury, right hip disability including femoral acetabular impingement syndrome and tendinitis, left hip condition, and right ankle disability (including lateral collateral ligament sprain) are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors. The claims are being remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and relevant evidence has not been received to support the readjudication of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff sprain and degenerative arthritis was denied in September 2018. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at February 25, 2021.

The Veteran's back condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have not improved under the conditions of daily life, and his knee conditions are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied in part, with the right shoulder osteoarthritis and instability issues receiving favorable decisions while left shoulder labral tear and dislocation issues were not.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected PTSD or degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and obesity. The AOJ is instructed to obtain a new opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that the decision denying eligibility for PCAFC is not clear and does not provide adequate reasons or bases. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tension headache, left shoulder labral tear, wrist tendinitis, fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, TMJ capsulitis, dry eye syndrome, allergic rhinitis, scars, and psoriasis are considered. The Board has ordered remand to clarify the reason for denial and provide proper notice.

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and represents a pre-decisional error in the duty to assist. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff tear, and degenerative arthritis, needs to be reassessed by a VA clinician.

The Veteran's left wrist condition, which preexisted service, was aggravated by his military service and is now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's back brace, used for a service-connected disability of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, caused wear and tear to his clothing in 2018. The Board granted an annual clothing allowance for this year.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective February 11, 2011. Basic eligibility for Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits based on permanent and total disability status is also granted from the same date. The appeal concerning increased ratings for left knee instability prior to January 23, 2023, and left knee post-traumatic arthritis with moderate residuals is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support direct or secondary service connection. The appeal is dismissed.