Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right and left knee disorders are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. No claims have been decided.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, bilateral foot disorder (status post removal of ganglion cysts), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for consideration of all newly obtained evidence, including VA medical records and any other relevant documents. The claim will be reviewed in light of this new information.

The Veteran's polyarthritis of the hands and feet, including gout affecting the right great toe, is rated at 20 percent since February 2, 2017. The other conditions have been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been rated at 10 percent since January 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination by a medical doctor who has not previously examined him in conjunction with this claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is increased in severity due to his service-connected left shoulder degenerative arthritis and post-operative residuals of a left shoulder putti-platt procedure for recurrent dislocations, with contracture. Service connection for a depressive disorder secondary to these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 20, 2004, March 21, 2005, and June 26, 2008 for service connection of his low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development and readjudication.

The Veteran is awarded a 10 percent rating for his right knee disability prior to January 16, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied as there is no evidence of compensable limitation of motion or clinical instability, which are required for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU from February 9, 2004; his service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis and lumbar intervertebral disc disease has been dismissed as he withdrew the issue before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee disability, allergies, and tinnitus have all been granted. The conditions are found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right hip strain with degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative arthritis.