Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and a pre-existing right knee disorder that was aggravated by military service. The hearing loss claim is not addressed as it does not involve service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and service connection for sleep apnea, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the October 2000 rating decision. The claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The claim will be adjudicated again after the additional development is completed.

The Veteran's hip disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has granted a rating of 10% for the right knee strain, but denied the claims for increased ratings and service connection for the right foot and ankle.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an eye condition manifested by loss of vision as secondary to diabetes mellitus and granted a 20% disability rating. The claims for bilateral shoulder pain, right and left knee disabilities, and cervical spondylosis have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the TDIU was denied as there is no evidence of any earlier unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to September 18, 2006 and no factually ascertainable evidence demonstrating entitlement to TDIU prior to March 24, 2010.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis are less likely than not caused by or resulting from military service, including his receipt of anthrax vaccination in February and March 2003.,The VA examiner also concluded that there is no link between the Veteran's anxiety disorder and his military activity (including as due to the in-service February and March 2003 anthrax vaccinations), nor can it be made with regard to aggravation of his service-connected gastrointestinal disorder.

The Board has determined that the earliest possible effective date for the award of service connection is April 20, 2012. The Veteran's claim was received on this date and he did not have a pending, unadjudicated claim prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right great toe degenerative arthritis and hallux rigidus are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The right knee disability will be re-evaluated based on current symptoms and limitations.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee condition warranted a separate 20 percent disability rating for meniscal tear, effective January 24, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issue on appeal is whether he should receive an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his left knee condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his healed right ankle fracture with residuals of pain and locking, are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left lower fibular fracture residuals with left ankle traumatic arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for calcification of the left medial collateral ligament was granted. However, his claims for a compensable rating for instability of the left knee and TDIU prior to April 23, 2015 were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for the year beginning August 1, 2013, and concluding on July 31, 2014 is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding the type of knee brace used during this period.