Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and additional disabilities that combine to at least 60 percent disabling. However, SMC based on aid and attendance is denied as there is no evidence of actual requirements for personal assistance from others.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 24, 2011, for service connection of lumbar spine disability and denied his claims for service connection of hypertension and hyperthyroidism. The Board found no evidence that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his disability and determine if there is ankylosis during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected feet disabilities are inextricably intertwined and requires further examination to clarify the current diagnoses and their impact on rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions as they have already been granted in a previous rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left femur fracture with arthritis, left hip limitation of flexion, and left thigh impairment resulting in limitation of abduction, adduction and/or rotation are all remanded for further evaluation.,An increased rating is granted for the service-connected limitation of left hip flexion.

The Veteran's right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis is granted a 30 percent rating, and no higher. The Veteran's left ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis is denied any increased rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper consideration of new evidence submitted after the prior denial, and for further medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, to include as secondary to a service-connected right wrist disability due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA opinions and new evidence of compensatory use.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as back condition) is related to her active service, resolving all doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease L4-L5, and intervertebral disc syndrome is effective the earliest date permissible by law and VA statute.

The Veteran's claims for left eye, CTS of the left wrist, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate was improper and has revised the effective date to October 1, 2022. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC benefits is now correct as of this date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is related to injuries sustained during service.,The left ankle sprain is secondary to the right ankle condition.,Radiculopathy in both lower extremities (sciatica) is also secondary to the lumbar spine condition.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from 40 percent to 40 percent effective January 1, 2022.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disability, post-concussive headaches with a noncompensable initial evaluation, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with an initial 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's claims are denied for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error, and now requires an addendum opinion from a VA clinician regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.