Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee disabilities have been readjudicated, with the decision to grant new evidence resulting in a remand for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is granted service connection. However, his right and left ankle osteoarthritis claims are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic symptomatology.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Board has dismissed these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right hip, and lumbar spine disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance to keep him ordinarily clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and protect him from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC A&A.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, along with a left foot sprain with sinus tarsi syndrome, are currently rated at the minimum compensable levels (10 percent each). The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.,Effective dates for service connection have also been denied for all three conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The claims for service connection for left knee and left shoulder conditions have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the August 2019 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis is related to his active duty service and grants the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for the service-connected right knee limitation of flexion is dismissed as he requested withdrawal of his appeal at a December 2022 Board hearing.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left foot degenerative arthritis, and right foot degenerative arthritis. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Appellant's military service.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain all relevant medical records and failed to provide an adequate VA examination for the Veteran's lumbar spine and right hip conditions. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that his symptoms were noted during service and persisted after discharge.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including extension limitation and instability, is rated at 10 percent. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for meniscal residuals.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal of his service connection claim for right wrist strain with osteoarthritis before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for sinusitis is denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, effective September 16, 2021, is granted. The case is remanded for further consideration of the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the low back is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, effective September 11, 2006.,An increased rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity from February 20, 2019 forward has been granted.,An increased rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from February 20, 2019 forward has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, which meets the criteria for TDIU.