Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct a VA examination, and readjudicate the issues.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a bone chip in the shoulders has been denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, including degenerative arthritis, did not have its onset in service and was not manifested to a compensable degree within one year following service discharge. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his ankle disability or for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension is denied as he does not meet the criteria for need of regular aid and attendance or permanent housebound status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new VA examination to assess the severity of his knee, ankle, and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, left ankle, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show a current disability or any nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled hearing and lack of procedural documentation regarding the denial of VR&E benefits. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's right hand condition, bilateral foot condition, and reactive airway disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue/throat and related residuals are service-connected due to exposure to contaminated water from Camp Lejeune. The metastatic lymphadenopathy is also service-connected as it was a result of his primary cancer.,His depressive disorder is service-connected on a secondary basis, as it developed as a result of his service-connected cancer. His low back disability is service-connected based on the in-service trauma he experienced during parachute training.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU and increased ratings for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and PTSD has been dismissed. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against an increase in disability rating for PTSD prior to September 12, 2016, and since then, as well as for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by joint pain and osteoarthritis, to include fibromyalgia; thoracolumbar back and cervical spine disabilities; bilateral leg disability; right and left knee disabilities (other than service-connected left knee scars); an abdominal or gastrointestinal disability; respiratory disability (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis). Therefore, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining legible copies of service personnel and treatment records, arranging for a VA examination to determine the relationship between his diabetes mellitus and service, and scheduling an aid and attendance examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the provision of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders. The Veteran also has thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity that are each rated at 10 percent. Tension headaches have been rated as noncompensable, but the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficiently severe to inhibit her ability to obtain gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine and right knee internal derangement and arthroscopic surgery have been granted a rating in excess of 20 percent. The left knee scar has not met criteria for a compensable evaluation. The open angle glaucoma with toxic keratopathy of both eyes remains at an initial 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.