Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for tension headaches prior to September 27, 2012; and entitlement to service connection for non-specific dermatitis, claimed as a skin rash; hypertension; insomnia, claimed as sleep deprivation disorder; left ankle osteoarthritis; right ankle osteoarthritis; and erectile dysfunction. The appeal of the issue of an effective date prior than August 20, 2003 for the grant of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale provided in a previous VA examination and for additional development of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and spondylolysis, is directly related to his active service. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has a current disability that was caused by or aggravated by an incident during service.

The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities starting from July 18, 2014. His combined disability rating of at least one 40% rated condition and a total schedular rating makes him eligible for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if her left knee disability is secondary to her service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. His lumbar spine disability has been granted a full grant of the benefit sought on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the left first metatarsal head with hallux rigidus and residuals of two bunionectomies is granted, with a maximum rating of 30 percent. Service connection for a separate left foot disability (other than osteoarthritis) remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left knee and right hip disabilities, as well as his low back disability and brain disorder, all claimed as secondary to alcohol abuse. The decision found that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link between any such disability and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and bilateral knee disabilities did not have their onset in service, were not related to service, or manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including impingement syndrome and degenerative osteoarthritis of the shoulders, left shoulder, lumbosacral spine arthritis, Peyronie's disease with erectile dysfunction, and hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee osteoarthritis is related to military service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability. The case will also be adjudicated again to determine if he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the earlier effective dates for separate evaluations of sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the lower extremities, secondary to service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis and disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and opinions to address the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, back disability, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Veteran is found to require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which cause him to be in need of assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, osteopenia, scoliosis, and lumbar spinal stenosis, is related to service due to continuity of symptoms since service separation. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected back disorder is rated at 40 percent, effective as of the date of the decision. He also has a separate rating of 10 percent for associated left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle disability was not present during service or within one year of discharge, and is not shown to be causally related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and right shoulder disorder did not manifest within one year of service or are otherwise related to his military service.