Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his eligibility for an annual clothing allowance based on use of a knee brace. The Chief Medical Director or designee must determine if the knee brace meets the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for left knee arthritis and service connection for a right thumb disability are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent and total disability that is due to the loss or loss of use of one or both lower extremities so as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was not incurred or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's ganglion cyst of the left hand is found to be related to service. The VA examiner could not provide a nexus opinion regarding his osteoarthritis of the left wrist, but the Board finds that the requirement for current disability has been met and service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's impairment of sphincter control, status post hemorrhoidectomy, has been granted a 30 percent rating effective July 28, 2008. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The appellant is at least as likely as not in need of aid and attendance based on physical incapacity, which requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect the claimant from hazards or dangers incident to her daily environment. The Board finds that she needs regular aid and assistance due to medical conditions such as dizziness, imbalance, angina, fatigue, dyspnea, pain, numbness, and falls.

The Veteran's right knee torn lateral meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament are currently rated at 10 percent prior to March 12, 2013. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for right knee instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee chronic sprain is related to his active duty service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected right and left shoulder strains with degenerative arthritis have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was initially rated at 20% prior to October 2, 2001 and has been rated at 30% since September 17, 1998. The effective date for service connection of depressive disorder including PTSD is set at September 17, 1998.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his abnormal mitral valve with congested heart failure and multiple knee injuries, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 26, 2013. Since then, he has been in receipt of special monthly compensation (SMC) due to aid and attendance/housebound.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's death was due to his service-connected conditions, but he had a pending claim for nonservice-connected pension at the time of his death. The evidence showed that he met the requirements for non-service connected pension and thus qualified for burial benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine osteoarthritis and degenerative disc and spondylosis of the thoracic spine do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. However, due to his combined disability rating of 90 percent and the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and tinnitus, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and left hip disabilities are not service-connected as they have not been shown to be causally related to his military service.