Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee instability warrants a 20 percent rating since September 17, 2008 and his left knee osteoarthritis warrants a 10 percent rating since September 17, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination by a vocational specialist to assess his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation for consideration of an extra-schedular TDIU if he does not meet the scheduler criteria.

The Veteran's right hand disability, including osteoarthritis and residuals of third and fourth metacarpal bone fractures, was manifested by x-ray evidence of degenerative changes and no more than painful motion, tenderness or pain to palpation of the joints or soft tissue of either hand. The Board found that an initial 10 percent evaluation is appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, to include flat feet and degenerative arthritis. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are related to service due to an in-service fall accident and repeated climbing/jumping off helicopters.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his right foot disability, diagnose any current right knee and right hand disabilities, and provide a rationale for service connection determinations.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, his left knee osteoarthritis at 10 percent, and his MDD from December 6, 2007 to November 15, 2011 at 50 percent. Beginning November 16, 2011, the Veteran's MDD is rated at 100 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury and finds that the Veteran's current left ankle osteoarthritis is related to his in-service left ankle sprain, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was granted. The other conditions were not granted.

The Veteran's pes planus, left foot has been rated as 10 percent since May 2, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence supports a compensable rating for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected prostate cancer and its treatment, thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA joints examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current right knee strain. Additionally, he will be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination to determine the current level of severity of his service-connected injury to left hand, 4th ring finger.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to seek the aid and attendance of another person on a daily basis, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling a VA examination, and ensuring compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of the right ankle is rated at 40 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was evaluated at a 30 percent rating from January 30, 2008 to July 14, 2014. The disability did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to March 7, 2014 and granted an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent for limitation of extension, with a separate rating of 10 percent for arthritis with painful flexion. The Veteran does not have instability or limitation of extension that warrants higher ratings.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder is found to have been incurred in service. The VA examiner diagnosed osteoarthritis of bilateral feet, but did not find a current diagnosis for the left shoulder disability or low back disability. Service connection was granted for the right shoulder and bilateral foot disabilities.