Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as it shows no more than forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees and combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees without evidence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied by the Board. The case is now remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the condition and determine any functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis in the spine, is service connected. The claim was reopened and granted based on evidence showing a pre-existing condition that manifested during service.

The Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to allegations of clear and unmistakable error regarding effective dates for prior grants of service connection and current ratings for his disabilities. The issue of a TDIU prior to June 27, 2013 remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to clarify the nature of his current right knee disability and determine if it had its onset in or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as sleep disturbance, depressed mood, and anxiety.,With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for a back disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorders are not related to service and have denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and neck disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examinations, as well as locate any missing records.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized as status-post accessory navicular bone fracture, status-post surgical repair with residual metatarsalgia, osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and plantar fasciitis, has been rated at 30 percent since June 2, 2010. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to functional loss caused by pain.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities do not warrant a higher evaluation as the evidence does not demonstrate severe limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and left knee osteoarthritis have not been found to warrant a higher initial rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied, and he is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board also found that the criteria for TDIU were not met.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar and thoracic spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities, and right ankle strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD). The appeal is dismissed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right hip disability is not related to his service-connected left knee disability or any other service-connected condition, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the Veteran's testimony of worsening symptoms and the length of time since his last VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.