Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, and the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and sleep apnea are all related to service.,However, due to lack of specific diagnosis for sleep apnea in this decision summary, it is not clear if the Veteran currently has a diagnosed condition or if his symptoms are still being evaluated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and osteoarthritis, including psoriatic arthritis. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective December 9, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and right long finger disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with stenosis of the lumbar spine has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for a back disability (degenerative arthritis with stenosis of the lumbar spine).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.,Service connection is granted for porphyria cutanea tarda, as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the evaluation of his left knee osteoarthritis, right knee injury with post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. However, he is denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance as his dementia contributes to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left foot disorders did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise related to his active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable from November 30, 2007 to July 14, 2015 and as 20 percent disabling thereafter. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee was rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in previous VA examinations and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent. The semilunar cartilage condition with frequent episodes of locking and pain is separately evaluated as a separate disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left foot disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year of his military service. The current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a chronic disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor is there evidence to support a presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment outside of a protected environment, given his occupational experience and educational background. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the criteria for entitlement to TDIU have been met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnosis is due to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that it was less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.