Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee and ankle conditions, low back pain, sciatic radicular pain, TBI, headaches, and PB, are granted. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefit records and medical opinions regarding the onset of his lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's skin disability, back pain, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The main reasons are for obtaining updated medical records from VA community care programs and clarifying whether the Veteran's skin condition meets criteria for disfigurement.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis with lateral collateral ligament sprain and tendonitis, finding that her current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The reduction in the schedular rating for left knee limited extension with degenerative arthritis from 20% to 10% was improper and has been restored.,The severance/discontinuance of a separate 10% rating for left thigh limitation of flexion with osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis of the left hip was improper and has been restored.,Basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were reinstated effective October 8, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, and associated radiculopathies. The effective dates were set at April 20, 2010, for the back conditions and April 28, 2010, for the neck conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied because he failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination without showing good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding functional loss during flare-ups and after repeated use over time. The Veteran is also being remanded for a TDIU claim as it is inextricably intertwined with his knee disability claims.

The Veteran's right knee was granted a separate rating of 20 percent for a meniscus condition, while his left and right knees were denied increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with stenosis of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection, including blurred vision, left foot degenerative arthritis, bilateral foot gout, and related numbness and tingling. The Veteran's exposure to toxins in service is a factor considered in the remand.

The Veteran's left foot degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The issues of service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and chronic bronchitis are remanded due to inadequate VA nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and left ankle disability due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examination. The issues include determining if these disabilities are related to his service-connected knee disabilities, as well as considering obesity as an intermediate step in establishing secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inconsistencies in prior examinations, need for clarification of flare-ups, and lack of recent private treatment records. The Veteran will be asked to provide authorization for release of any relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, diagnosed as trench foot with degenerative arthritis and bone spur, are rated at 20 percent each since February 11, 2015.,Additionally, the Veteran is granted a TDIU effective from September 14, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a left shoulder disability as secondary to the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn all of his pending claims, including those for increased disability ratings for various thigh and knee disabilities. The Board has dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date earlier than August 11, 2020 for his increased right knee disability rating and denied a higher rating for his right knee disability. The claim for an effective date was withdrawn by the Veteran's attorney.