Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is service-connected due to exposure to ionizing radiation. Her bilateral plantar fasciitis and left hip osteoarthritis are both granted initial disability ratings, but the rating for her left hip condition was not increased beyond 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as his combined service-connected disability rating is sufficient to meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and he is unemployable due to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine was granted a 20 percent rating effective May 22, 2009. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 22, 2009 is moot as he has been granted this increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, which necessitates assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and managing medications.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current neck disability and any in-service event.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including updated VA examinations and obtaining treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability including osteoarthritis and meniscus impairment. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to uncertainty about whether other foot conditions are related to service. The Veteran contends that her current foot disorders, including sprains and osteoarthritis, developed as a result of wearing boots and high heels in service.

The Veteran's right foot status post-surgical correction of hammer toe and degenerative arthritis were not found to warrant a higher initial disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, hiatal hernia and GERD, and right eye retinal detachment did not have onset in service or were not caused by his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for generalized degenerative arthritis with joint pain and denied entitlement to an increased rating for residuals of tonsillectomy. The Veteran's claims were not related to military service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was denied due to the lack of evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder with PTSD and related disabilities have been rated at 70 percent since November 19, 2003. The effective date for the TDIU rating has also been established as of that date.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and bilateral L5-S1 radiculopathy, but denied service connection for cervical spine muscle spasms, left upper extremity radiculopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and granted entitlement to this condition. The Veteran's current diagnoses include osteoarthritis in his right leg, left knee, hips, and headaches, all presumed secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from engaging in any type of gainful employment, with physical or sedentary work. The case is also referred to the Director for extra-schedular consideration on the issue of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis did not manifest in service or within a year after service, was not related to service, and was not caused by or aggravated by her service-connected right foot disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, respiratory failure due to COPD, is related to his service-connected shell fragment wound of the right chest status post removal of 2.5 inches of the rib, Muscle Group XXI.

The Board found that the February 2006 rating decision awarding a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of left knee injury was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to pyramiding, and thus reduced this rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet eligibility requirements for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent prior to December 10, 2010 and 40 percent thereafter. The right hip disability is rated at 10 percent.