Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, with the exception of the time period from March 26, 2012 to April 30, 2013 when he had a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hip condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was granted service connection. The left knee disability and varicose veins claims are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss due to clear and unmistakable error in the August 1989 rating decision. The Veteran's sensory deficit of the left lower extremity and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis remain pending issues, as does his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the June 1980 rating decision that denied service connection for a low back condition, thus denying the claim for an earlier effective date based on CUE.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hip disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability and has also granted an initial evaluation of 30% for his heart disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis based on direct service connection. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right hip was established by X-Ray findings within one year of separation from active service and manifested to a degree of at least 10 percent disabling during that time, allowing for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's current right shoulder and right knee conditions are found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, which is presumed to have developed during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed left leg and foot disabilities, as previous examinations were inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee diagnoses of patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis are related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 60 percent, effective February 26, 2002. The Board finds that the current rating of 60 percent adequately reflects the severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including from Mather VA Medical Center. A new VA examination is also required.

The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right little finger disability and whether any neurological impairment exists. The case will also be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits for consideration of an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left shoulder condition, including range of motion and functional loss due to pain or other factors. The rating assigned will be determined based on the results of this examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disabilities, best characterized as lumbosacral strain and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, are aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his intent to pursue an increase in the ratings for his thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities.