Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding his right shoulder, left knee, and bilateral feet conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right knee disability and TDIU claim have been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 60% combined disability due to bilateral knee disabilities, which are of common etiology.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss and bilateral knee conditions are not related to service, as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The VA examiners concluded that any current hearing loss and knee disabilities are more likely due to natural aging processes rather than service events.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for increased ratings were not supported by the evidence of record. The Board found that prior to April 30, 2013, he did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left knee disability and that from April 30, 2013 to September 3, 2013, he did not meet the criteria for a separate rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee instability. The Veteran's total left knee replacement was also found not to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's alcohol and substance abuse are related to his service-connected PTSD and major depressive disorders, which is granted.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 23, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for bronchial asthma and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting an examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left wrist disability is not related to his in-service surgery and denied service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right shoulder disability and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition that could be linked to his current symptoms. The Board also found no aggravation by his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining outstanding treatment records. The issues of rating his lower back disability and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was rated at 20 percent prior to December 10, 2014. After a review of the evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records, the Board found that his symptoms warranted a higher rating up to 50 percent (less the 10 percent preservice percentage). The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted a 40 percent rating effective December 10, 2014.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing, as no such hearing has been scheduled yet. The Veteran's request for a DRO hearing was submitted in January 2016 but no hearing date has been provided.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his left knee disability, as it did not meet the criteria for an increase in disability beyond what was already assigned. His skin disorder, right claw foot, and hypertension were also not supported by the evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, and IBS, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate development, including a failure to provide medical opinions and VA examinations as requested in the November 2015 remand. The case is now pending for further consideration.