Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 10% prior to July 13, 2015 and increased to 20% from that date. The claims for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral cataracts were denied as there is no evidence of service connection or secondary relationship.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and medical opinion to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is currently before the Board.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from July 24, 2015. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board finds sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a psychiatric disorder, with the latter being related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral frozen foot disability, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied reopening service connection for degenerative arthritis and found that the Veteran is not entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and left shoulder rotator cuff disorder are all found to be related to his service-connected left ankle disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The VA will be requested to arrange for a new VA examination that includes range of motion testing on active and passive motion, as well as weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability, and for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition, including arthritis noted in February 2017. The claim will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's knee braces and topical pain medication do not qualify for an annual clothing allowance as they do not cause wear or tear to his clothes, nor does he use medications that stain his clothes.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent since December 1, 2014. The effective date for this rating is June 29, 2010.,The Veteran's left hip strain has an effective date of June 29, 2010.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from November 10, 2010. The rating reflects that her range of motion was limited to greater than 30 but not greater than 60 degrees in flexion.

The Board denied service connection for right elbow cellulitis and granted service connection for PTSD. The issue of acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not have its onset in service and is not caused by or related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral shin splints has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right thigh scars are not rated compensable, but his service connection for a right knee disability is granted. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current right knee condition was incurred during active service.