Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, joint pain, muscle cramps, and a skin disability is granted. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome, memory loss, and bilateral hand disabilities are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right ear hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the ankles or knees, hypertension, or gastritis for VA benefits purposes. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorders have been granted increased ratings, with the left knee receiving a 20 percent rating effective November 1, 2012. The low back disorder claim was withdrawn prior to January 9, 2012.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, status post L4-5 lumbar laminectomy since March 16, 2017. The claim was previously denied in January 2015 and remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination with a rheumatologist to address the nature and etiology of all joint disorders, including arthritis. The examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's disabilities have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disorders have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his combined disability rating is only 70 percent, which does not meet the requirement of at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more with a combined rating of 70 percent or more. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of regular aid and attendance, as he can perform most activities of daily living without significant assistance.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by impingement syndrome, degenerative arthritis, Hill-Sachs deformity, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. The claim for TDIU has been withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, hypertension, epididymitis, and bilateral flat feet due to lack of evidence showing onset during active service or within one year of discharge. The VA examiners provided negative nexus opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his low back and left knee disabilities, as he has reported that these conditions have worsened since his last examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting a VA examination, and providing an etiology opinion. The Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine will be reconsidered after these steps.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the evaluations for thoracolumbar spine DDD and status post vertebral fusion with slight dextrorotoscoliosis, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome with osteoarthritis, right total knee arthroplasty, status post left total knee replacement, DJD right shoulder status post rotator cuff repair and pin replacement, and hypertension. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating for the entire appellate period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected and grants this claim. The TDIU claim is denied as the Veteran is currently employed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a clarifying opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current back disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis were denied as the evidence did not show that the conditions warranted a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.