Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his service, including the strenuous physical activities he reported.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to September 30, 2020, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder and osteoarthritis of multiple joints due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain new VA medical opinions that consider the Veteran's service, lay statements, and symptoms during service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the left hand are granted as secondary to his service-connected right hand condition.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, depressive disorder, and secondary polysubstance use disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis, and calcaneal arthritis is denied as there was no evidence of worsening in the one-year prior look-back period.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC were dismissed as they did not meet the procedural requirements under the modernized review system (AMA).

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to errors in the duty to assist process prior to November 15, 2014.

The Board has found that the VA examiner's opinion on whether the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability is inadequate. Therefore, the case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion addressing this issue.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is granted a rating of 40 percent effective February 28, 2020. Ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and femoral radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent for popping, locking, and effusion. He also has a 10 percent rating for instability. The other issues are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy are granted, effective from June 9, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic arthritis, 1st MTPJ, osteoarthritis, first MTP, right ankle is granted. The RO remanded the case due to a need for additional development of private treatment records and for a new opinion.

The Veteran's low back disability, currently rated at 10 percent disabling from November 4, 2014, has been found to not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited range of motion and no associated neurological abnormalities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy alone rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. Additionally, the Veteran is entitled to SMC based on housebound status due to multiple separate disabilities rated at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's back brace tends to wear and tear his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2020.

The Veteran's request for higher-level review of his claims was timely filed. The AOJ must now review the underlying claims and provide a decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding no evidence linking it to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected neck, back, upper radicular group, bilateral sciatic radiculopathy, and bilateral femoral radiculopathy disabilities have been dismissed.,Effective May 23, 2017, but not earlier, the Veteran was granted an effective date for service connection of radiculopathy, right femoral nerve. Effective May 23, 2017, but not earlier, the Veteran was also granted an effective date for service connection of radiculopathy, left femoral nerve.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's knee disabilities, as well as to determine an appropriate effective date for tinnitus service connection. The issues of increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to obtain a VA examination and to verify the Veteran's period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in June 1974. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.