Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran was granted service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatica, each rated at 10 percent effective September 30, 2020.,The Veteran was also granted service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, each rated at 20 percent effective October 30, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition, as it is unclear whether the condition is related to his military service or if it is aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The AOJ needs to obtain additional medical opinions on these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and right total hip arthroplasty as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his limitations on walking, sitting, standing, lifting, carrying, and sleep disturbances.

The Board has denied service connection for pilonidal cyst and remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbago.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is related to active service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. Additional development is needed to consider the lay statements and other evidence submitted in connection with his Supplemental Claim and Higher-Level Review Request.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his low back disability was denied, and the effective date for the assigned rating was determined to be October 11, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's service from May 2, 2019 to October 16, 2019 in determining whether his left hip disability was aggravated during that period. The Veteran is requested to provide a new VA opinion regarding this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The condition is considered proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities.,SMC at the housebound rate prior to June 1, 2019 is denied as she does not meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder NOS, left knee strain with osteoarthritis, and left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis. The Board finds that an updated VA examination is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,The Veteran also seeks increased ratings for his service-connected anxiety disorder NOS, left knee strain with osteoarthritis, and left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis. The Board finds that a new VA examination is necessary to determine the current level of severity of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition and OSA, finding that both conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss meeting VA criteria.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 9, 2017 for the award of a TDIU and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C., Chapter 35.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis status post arthroscopy was rated at 10 percent for extension and flexion, but the Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to functional loss from pain during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. A VA examination or addendum opinion is required to address the Veteran's reported flare-ups and provide estimated ranges of motion during these periods.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative osteoarthritis and strain, secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and cervical spine condition, secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis, subacromial bursitis, tenosynovitis, and labral tear, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service duties of carrying heavy rucksacks and artillery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative arthritis and lumbar spine conditions, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 27, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for prostate cancer and TDIU prior to February 27, 2018.