Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and secure substantially gainful employment prior to March 17, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 17, 2005.

The Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis and a herniated disc at L5-S1, has been rated as 40 percent disabling since November 17, 2016.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorders are not related to his in-service fall and thus denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the knees is proximately due to his service-connected ankle disorders, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 24, 2015. The rating for his right TKR remains at 10 percent from April 14, 2016. His tinea corporis with eczema is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and potential aggravation of a congenital condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tremors of the left hand, tendonitis of the right leg, and an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic-lumbar spine. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied PTSD claim.

The Veteran's acromioclavicular osteoarthritis of the left shoulder was found to be incurred in service, and his thoracolumbar osteoarthritis with IVDS is granted. The issue regarding an increased rating for right shoulder condition has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis, erosive esophagitis and degenerative arthritis cervical spine with disc bulging C5-6 without cord compression.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings remain on appeal. The RO must consider all of the evidence received since the issuance of the May 2015 supplemental statement of the case and issue a rating decision to implement the grant of an increased disability evaluation of 10 percent for the service-connected multi-level degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a 20 percent disability for the anterior reconstruction and arthroscopic surgery of the left shoulder, effective April 23, 2015.

Effective August 15, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent due to forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy (radiculopathy), and bilateral hip arthritis have been evaluated based on their respective diagnostic codes. The claims for higher ratings are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that the conditions more nearly approximate the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a disability of the right leg, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, linked to disease or injury incurred or aggravated in active service. The rating for the right fifth metatarsal fracture was granted but at a lower level than initially requested.

The Veteran's claims for assistance with the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, as well as specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, were denied due to lack of entitlement based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left ankle did not have its onset during service or is otherwise causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a 90 percent disability rating, rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left index finger disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective August 26, 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for a 10 percent rating have been met.