Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and eligibility to specially adapted housing and a special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the need for further VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected condition.,Herpes was not diagnosed during service and no evidence supports its relation to service. ,Evidence received since the last final rating decision relates to an unestablished fact (migraine headaches) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Evidence received since the last final rating decision relates to an unestablished fact (an acquired psychiatric disability) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity meets criteria for a 10 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity meets criteria for a 10 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity meets criteria for a 20 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for right and left hip osteoarthritis based on limitation of flexion, extension, and rotation, adduction, or abduction due to incomplete range of motion testing in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating for her service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and left hip conditions are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his military service, including the in-service bicycle accident. The claims will be reconsidered after the examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation from June 24, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective from that date.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations and opinions are necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and cervical spine disorders before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is in equipoise and thus favorable to the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim from September 7, 2016 was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for additional special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's current atrial fibrillation disability is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. For the entire period on appeal, the evidence does not show limitation of right knee flexion below 40 degrees. The Veteran has been found to have moderate instability for the entire period on appeal and a separate evaluation of 20 percent for frequent locking episodes with pain and effusion is granted since July 20, 2018. A separate evaluation of 10 percent for right knee meniscectomy is also granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his cervical spine, left shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted. However, the case has been remanded for further evaluation of additional issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and instability were denied. The rating before November 17, 2021 was denied as the flexion did not reach 30 degrees and extension did not reach 15 degrees.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but has remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to incomplete information about the Veteran's Reserve service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded due to evidence suggesting worsening since the last VA examination. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current level of severity.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic back condition during or immediately after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss. The appeal is pending resolution.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's left foot conditions are caused by service-connected disabilities or if they are congenital defects with superimposed injuries. The VA examiner is needed to provide clarification and opinions on these issues.