Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance by another person due to her service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, urinary incontinence, migraines, pelvic inflammatory disease, irritable bowel syndrome, knee conditions, and sexual arousal disorder. The decision grants SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted, and he is now receiving benefits for variously diagnosed psychiatric disorder. Effective July 5, 2018, the Veteran received a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran also received effective dates for other claims related to hip and knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, bilateral leg/knee disorders, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were based on his assertions of in-service trauma leading to current disabilities, but the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right thumb/hand disorders, right elbow and ankle disabilities, left hip strain, neck disability, and left shoulder disability due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot and knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of pes planus, hammertoes, and degenerative joint disease have been continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis, asthma, COPD, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since March 2005. The Board has granted an extraschedular TDIU for the period from March 22, 2005 to April 22, 2019.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims. The Board has also remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as the evidence does not show that any single disability renders her unemployable.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, is rated at 20 percent for instability starting from February 7, 2021. The appeal was granted on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current right hip disability, including osteoarthritis, is related to his right hip injury during active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to additional development being necessary. The Veteran's service in Vietnam is noted as a potential factor in his current conditions.

The Veteran's low back disorder, characterized by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine at 30 degrees or less without unfavorable ankylosis, has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of both knees.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for headaches/migraine headaches was dismissed as the August 12, 2005 grant of service connection has long been final. The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected.,An initial rating of 10 percent for right knee joint osteoarthritis and a separate 10 percent rating based on removal of semilunar cartilage are granted. The Veteran also has other issues remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back, neck, and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The VA must obtain updated medical opinions addressing the severity of these conditions without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of a right knee disability is granted. Service connection for right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis is also granted, but the issues of service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatica are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee disorders, as her recent surgeries may have affected their progression.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, lower back, right knee, and left knee disabilities are related to his service-connected left ankle disability. The VA examinations were inadequate as they did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's left knee disability is found to be related to active service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The issues of secondary service connection for other conditions are remanded.