Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the neck, sleep disorder (including narcolepsy and sleep apnea), PTSD, neurodermatitis, and TDIU due to incomplete development and inadequate rationale in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether the Veteran is eligible for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, as he cannot secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities. The claim will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations in determining the severity of the Veteran's lower back strain with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess his current condition and functional loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for an addendum opinion. The issues include rating his right knee disability, left knee disability with degenerative arthritis, and tendon damage of the left knee.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease and right knee degenerative arthritis were not found to meet the criteria for an increased evaluation beyond 10%.,For the period from October 31, 2011 to November 2, 2015 and from January 1, 2016, the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis did not warrant a rating higher than 10%

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability, which may be related to his active duty service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck pain and degenerative arthritis of the spine (neck condition) and low back pain and degenerative arthritis of the spine (back condition).,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence linking current conditions to service or post-service events.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations and assessments to determine the extent of his functional limitations due to these conditions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding the Veteran's work-related functioning.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for diabetes mellitus was reopened, but not granted. Service connection for high cholesterol is denied. Service connection for myopathy (statin-induced) is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for service connection for headaches and an increased rating for hearing loss, as well as his claims for bilateral hip and knee disabilities. The AOJ is directed to complete further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, requesting private care providers to provide evidence, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right thumb disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or a gap of more than two inches between the thumb pad and fingers, with the thumb attempting to oppose the fingers.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing and special home adaption grant eligibility as they do not result in a permanent and total disability that requires adaptive housing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his reported in-service injuries and self-medication.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service.