Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, OSA, cervical spine degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy, left ribs contusion, right elbow strain, bilateral hand strain and degenerative arthritis (other than posttraumatic) of the bilateral hands, and low back degenerative disc disease have been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including tonic clonic seizures and multiple knee and thigh conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran served as an infantryman with multiple parachute jumps, which may be relevant to his current conditions.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal condition, including erosive gastritis, is granted service connection. The right and left hand arthritis are denied as not related to service. Right knee and left knee osteoarthritis and sleep apnea are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is found to be causally related to his periods of active duty, and it is granted as secondary to this condition. The same reasoning applies to his bilateral hip osteoarthritis, which is also granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, were granted increased ratings up to a maximum of 60 percent for each knee. The total knee replacements are denied as higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for spine and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence, including lack of consideration of medication effects and range of motion measurements. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to evaluate his current disability levels.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The decision finds that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to outstanding medical records, need for additional examinations, and the need to obtain a VA opinion regarding his diabetes mellitus.,The Board is requesting that all relevant treatment records be obtained, including those from Dr. S.A., as well as any other private care providers who may have treated the Veteran since March 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and scoliosis, and left ankle sprain have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left leg disability, including DJD and OA of the left knee, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee conditions, bilateral tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 28, 2015.

The Veteran's cervical spine IVDS with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher initial rating of 30 percent is warranted. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for left upper extremity radiculopathy and service connection for right upper extremity atrophy as secondary to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination in determining the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis and residuals of a fracture of the left distal tibia and fibula with varus deformity and left ankle fracture with limitation of motion and left knee condition with arthritis, as well as an increase in rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The appeal seeking SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was granted.

The Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is granted service connection. The claims for uterine fibroids and hysterectomy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent, effective September 8, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection of periodontal disease associated with dental trauma #7 to #11, and has remanded the issues of compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis, right little finger, and periodontal disease, as well as TDIU.