Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right shoulder disability. The claim for TDIU will also be developed.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary and the case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, Social Security Administration records, and private treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disorders will be reconsidered after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus Type II and denied the remaining claims. Diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to in-service herbicide exposure, while the other conditions are not supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The issues include service connection for a neck disability, increased ratings for lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and TDIU.

The Board has granted separate 10 percent ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, status post meniscus repair, in place of the single 10 percent rating currently in effect.

The Veteran is granted TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, with a combined disability rating of 80 percent.

The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in the Veteran's records, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right ankle remains denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, securing his VA vocational rehabilitation file, and providing an advisory opinion from a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division counselor regarding the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an SOC addressing his claim for additional reimbursement under the FMP for medical treatment/services rendered in Poland.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 20, 2008 and a rating in excess of 30 percent from April 1, 2009 forward.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, was incurred in and caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip osteoarthritis was granted a 30 percent rating from October 1, 2011. The appeal is resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board found that the reduction from a 10 percent evaluation to zero percent for the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis status post-surgical repair, based on limitation of extension, effective April 1, 2011, was improper and restored the 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative arthritis and disc disease, is not related to his service. The evidence does not show a chronic or continuous symptomatology of a low back disability during active service or continuously since service separation.

The Veteran's prostate condition, including prostatitis and prostate cancer, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including hernias with progression to an intestinal fistula and arthritis of multiple joints, render her helpless or so nearly helpless that she requires the regular aid and attendance of another person for special monthly pension purposes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's right knee strain with instability has been rated at 10 percent since January 1, 2007 and before July 5, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for psoriasis/skin spots, an initial compensable rating for osteoarthritis of the right hand, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right foot surgery with hallux rigidus and gout (claimed as right foot hammer toe). The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical degenerative disc disease has been denied. His claims have not yet been adjudicated.