Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC at the L level.

The Veteran's right-hand Dupuytren's contracture was granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected right ring and little fingers.,Service connection for left-hand osteoarthritis, Dupuytren's contracture, and peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to inadequate examination findings regarding aggravation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of a neck disorder, gout, and skin rash need further development due to the need for additional medical opinions. The hypertension claim is also inextricably intertwined with the neck disorder claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fracture of the left fourth digit metacarpal and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were granted effective June 13, 2018.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the January 2020 Remand directives and thus, another remand is warranted for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and records to determine the current severity of his left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as to address his claim for total disability due to individual unemployability. The issues are related and must be addressed together.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disability to include degenerative arthritis due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification of opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis and his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with current compression fractures T12 through L4.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been found to be related to his military service, and thus granted.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown during service or post-service, and is denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied prior to October 13, 2015. From that date, he received a 20 percent disability rating.,For radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, the Veteran received a 40 percent disability rating from October 13, 2015. For right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve), he was granted a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's tinnitus is found to prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, warranting referral for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another person, nor were they sufficient to qualify for SMC based on housebound status or the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied, while the appeal to restore his 50% rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood was granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of July 27, 2012. The right foot sprain rating is denied. A temporary total rating for left knee surgery is granted from August 22, 1990 to November 1, 1990. Chronic constipation is rated at 10 percent effective July 12, 2012. Limitation of flexion of the left and right knees are denied. The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is granted. Service connection for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's left foot condition is found to be proximately due to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the metatarsal of the right foot, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's current foot disabilities are not considered to have onset in or be related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for left lower extremity neuropathy and right lower extremity neuropathy, both of which the Board found did not have their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis status post ACL repair and for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee limitation of motion prior to March 15, 2016. The remand also includes the issue of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board dismissed the appeal for an additional temporary rating (convalescence) for shoulder impingement with osteoarthritis, right shoulder, from March 1, 2014.