Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and left ankle disabilities were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between service and hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, including any neurological manifestations. The current rating of 10 percent will not be changed until further evaluation.

The Veteran's low back disability has been manifested by forward flexion to 80 degrees and no incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome or separately ratable associated neurological symptoms. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective November 25, 2014. The left hip disability is rated as non-compensable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various knee, hip, and foot disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting a compensable rating for his TBI residuals.

The Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado, on September 30, 2008, and from October 1, 2008, to October 3, 2008, were denied because the services were not rendered for a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado, on September 30, 2008, and from October 1, 2008, to October 3, 2008, were denied because the services were not rendered for a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a right knee disability and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective May 18, 2015. Prior to this date, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye blindness is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip is denied as there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between the current disability and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's congenital deformity and transitional L6 with spondylolysis did not pre-exist service, and thus could not be granted service connection. The current diagnoses of lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis were also deemed to have occurred due to natural progression rather than in-service aggravation.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's status post medial-lateral cartilage residuals of the right knee, effective December 30, 2009. The Veteran also received an increase in his evaluation for osteoarthritis of the right knee to 10 percent from July 3, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which he would otherwise be qualified.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated at 20 percent since April 17, 2017. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's residuals of a right thumb fracture are currently rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's left great toe osteoarthritis is manifested by pain and limits his ability to walk and stand, and more closely approximates a moderate foot injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 16, 1968 to October 19, 1994 due to service-connected disabilities.