Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance due to lack of permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or vision.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the AOJ not making reasonable attempts to schedule an informal conference before issuing a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during a period of Active-Duty Training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder with other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, chronic headaches, right shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee strain with bursitis, chronic right knee strain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament strain, chronic right ankle sprain, allergic conjunctivitis, and tinnitus, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities. As such, TDIU is granted from August 26, 2020.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome is related to active duty service.,The evidence of record persuasively demonstrates that the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is caused and/or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's service-connected hip and knee conditions have been rated as noncompensable under the relevant diagnostic codes for limited motion. The Board finds that higher initial ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The left hip and low back disorders need further examination, while the LLE nerve condition is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left leg disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder does not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance due to his ability to dress, feed himself, and perform daily activities. He is also not considered housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential missing VA and SSA records that may be relevant to his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 4, 2021 for service connection of IBS is granted. The Veteran's PTSD disability was granted a higher rating in November 2020 and the claim for an evaluation in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with strain received an earlier effective date of November 9, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left fifth metatarsal residual fracture, resolving any doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition and a neck injury, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to in-service injuries. The decision also denied service connection for memory loss, residuals of concussion, TBI, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded five claims for increased ratings due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and knee conditions.

The Veteran's request for review of the effective dates of service connection and additional compensation was denied as untimely.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his tension headaches is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for jock itch (tinea cruris) has been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for left-sided and right-sided hernias, pseudo folliculitis of the face, pseudo folliculitis of the neck, lumbar spine disability, sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the lower extremities, left foot bunion, right foot bunion, toenail fungus and tinea pedis, left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, osteoarthritis of the hips, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability has also been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's service treatment records are silent regarding any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. Post-service medical records do not provide evidence of current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is granted service connection. The Veteran's left knee overuse syndrome with documented arthritis is granted a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for abdominal pain, dysuria, a back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica. Service connection for vision disability is denied.