Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hand, effective January 28, 2019. The earlier effective dates for arthritis of the left index finger and ring fingers were also granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 2, 2018 is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The secondary service connection claims for bilateral hip and ankle disabilities are also pending.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis rating was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent, but the reduction was improper due to procedural errors. The Board has restored the original 40 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left ankle sprain-remote due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate VA examinations prior to the June 2022 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance, resulting in a grant of SMC based on A&A. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on being housebound is moot due to the greater monetary benefit provided by SMC at the A&A rate.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right knee disability, and anxiety disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, and hypertension have not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for right and left knee disabilities. The thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disability claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis is granted service connection, and the hearing loss claim remains denied. The TBI residuals claim is remanded for further examination and opinion. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded due to conflicting opinions. SMC based on loss of use is also remanded.

The Board has restored the Veteran's ratings for degenerative arthritis and strain of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy to their previous levels from August 1, 2020.

The Veteran's bladder cancer is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during his service in Thailand, and he has a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine that is secondary to his service-connected right proximal fibular fracture.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, GERD, right elbow disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation due to inconsistencies in medical evidence regarding the Veteran's left shoulder and back disabilities, as well as issues related to TDIU prior to May 31, 2022.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with the left knee also receiving a separate rating for cartilage damage. The appeals for increased ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's entitlement to a compensable disability rating prior to February 7, 2019 for his scar of the left ring finger is denied. The Veteran's entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent from February 7, 2019 for his painful scar of the left ring finger is granted. Service connection for lumbar spine disability secondary to service-connected right ankle disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability, as well as his TDIU claim due to service-connected disabilities. The reasons include failure to attend scheduled VA examinations and lack of sufficient information regarding current severity of the disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether his joint pain is due to an undiagnosed illness or environmental exposure during service and whether he has a medically unexplained multisymptom illness (MUCMI).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right thumb degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral shoulders and coronary artery disease have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right knee, right elbow, and low back disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn may have contributed to his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).