Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5258. The Board has determined that the partial knee replacement surgery warrants a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5055, and the case is being remanded for further development including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for residuals, fracture, right ankle, with degenerative arthritis of the ankle joints has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's right knee condition has been rated at 20 percent since January 12, 2017. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an additional VA opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's right hip disorder, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral pes planus disability, including degenerative arthritis, is a direct result of his military service, specifically during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining information about medication use prior to a March 2015 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The case is remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's service-connected low back disability aggravated his bilateral hip osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, and the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and sleep apnea are all related to service.,However, due to lack of specific diagnosis for sleep apnea in this decision summary, it is not clear if the Veteran currently has a diagnosed condition or if his symptoms are still being evaluated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and osteoarthritis, including psoriatic arthritis. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective December 9, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his bilateral hearing loss and right long finger disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with stenosis of the lumbar spine has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for a back disability (degenerative arthritis with stenosis of the lumbar spine).,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity.,Service connection is granted for porphyria cutanea tarda, as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the evaluation of his left knee osteoarthritis, right knee injury with post-traumatic osteoarthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. However, he is denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance as his dementia contributes to his inability to perform daily activities.