Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2024

The appeal is being remanded to obtain TERA-specific VA medical opinions for the appellant's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and high blood pressure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for a TDIU due to incomplete development of records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left hip disability, and right hip disability have been granted with effective dates based on intent to file a claim.,Initial ratings for his service-connected spine and bilateral hip disabilities are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis based on secondary aggravation of the condition by service-connected knee disabilities, with a 100% rating effective October 23, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective February 13, 2017. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and recurrent cerebrovascular accident/stroke residuals. Service connection is remanded for Type II diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board notes that there are no compensable limitations of motion or instability present to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for earlier effective dates and increased initial ratings for his newly service-connected lower back strain with degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, left rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, and fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the right foot are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the need for aid and attendance or housebound status, as his needs were due to non-service-connected conditions. Therefore, SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status was denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a duty-to-assist error. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether any of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially and materially to his death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his service-connected left elbow, right knee, low back, left ulnar neuropathy, and hypertension disabilities have been denied. The RO also remanded several issues related to service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's current diagnoses are conceded, but further examination is needed.

The Veteran's SMC at the housebound rate from January 1, 2022, is denied because he did not have a single service-connected disability rated as total and an additional disability or disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or greater during that period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a recurrent left knee disability and an increased rating for unspecified anxiety disorder due to procedural issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals related to the left knee gout with degenerative osteoarthritis and internal derangement status post meniscectomy, right knee gout with degenerative osteoarthritis and internal derangement, and left knee gout with degenerative osteoarthritis and internal derangement status post meniscectomy based on limitation of extension. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the left wrist as secondary to service-connected left wrist strain due to insufficient evidence in the June 2021 VA opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of her right and left knee disabilities, back disability, and feet disability are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant treatment records from private providers and provide the Veteran with a retrospective medical examination.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for a 20% rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted from January 12, 2019. The earlier effective date for a 60% rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease is also granted from October 1, 2019.