Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The right hip claim is denied, while sinusitis, rhinitis, heart condition (CAD), and bilateral shoulder conditions require further examination and analysis.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability and lumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis, based on a private medical opinion that supports an altered gait and posture theory.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a scar of the forehead have been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left knee and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's radiculopathy, lower extremity, right and left, is granted an increased rating of 20 percent from November 10, 2019.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted an increased rating of 20 percent from November 10, 2019.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left and right hip disabilities, diagnosed as left hip osteoarthritis and right hip osteoarthritis. He asserts that his hip disabilities are the result of or have been aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The Board has remanded the claims due to a failure to address aggravation in the May 2019 VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis is granted. The Board also granted a non-compensable initial rating for GERD and a 30 percent rating, but no higher, for allergic rhinitis since November 12, 2019.

The Veteran's right hip disability is rated at 90 percent effective October 6, 2009. The left knee and left knee instability are each rated at 20 percent effective October 6, 2009. TDIU and SMC benefits are granted effective October 6, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the back, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding an in-service injury are credible and establishing continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives and a need for an in-person examination.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations to address functional impairment and range of motion during flare-ups and after repeated use.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as there is no evidence of functional impairment equivalent to ankylosis or its functional equivalent.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated the criteria for occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas since June 5, 2020.,From June 17, 2019, multiple service-connected disabilities rendered the Veteran unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is due to service-connected disabilities, leading to the grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of entitlement to SMC by reason of being housebound is dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and spondylolisthesis from July 21, 1973, to February 7, 2017, and entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with service-connected back disability. The remand is due to a duty-to-assist error regarding SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, tinnitus, squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate and tongue, and left shoulder osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome have been readjudicated. The claims for left knee disability and left shoulder osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome are granted, while those for thoracolumbar spine disability, tinnitus, and squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate and tongue remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss disability, and scars status post knee replacement were denied. The appeal was remanded for further action on the issues of service connection for low back pain and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, which approximates the criteria for unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates and initial ratings for migraine headaches, back disability, and left knee arthritis was denied.,An initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted.

The Veteran's right and left hip degenerative arthritis are granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee lateral meniscal tear.,The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted due to acoustic trauma in service.