Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's chondromalacia patella of the right knee is manifested by pain, limitation of motion in flexion and arthritis. The Board finds that a rating in excess of 10 percent for his condition has not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for DM and a heart disability were not addressed. The initial rating in excess of 10 percent for IVDS with degenerative arthritis changes (prior to September 28, 2013) was denied. The higher rating in excess of 20 percent for IVDS with degenerative arthritis changes (beginning on September 28, 2013) was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as macular hole of the right eye. The evidence does not establish that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders to his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating for the entire appeal period due to his service-connected disabilities, which preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in any regular substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder AC joint degenerative arthritis are granted. The claim for higher rating for right shoulder AC joint degenerative arthritis is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure full compliance with the duty to assist, including obtaining additional medical evidence and scheduling a VA examination for his knee disabilities. The issues on appeal will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for arthritis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their current severity, with the left knee receiving a higher rating due to instability and arthritis. The right knee is also rated for arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and reviewing all available service records.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran does not meet the requirements for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that a cervical spine disorder, including as secondary to service-connected recurrent dislocation of the left shoulder, did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter and is not casually related to, or aggravated by, active service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis is before the Board.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is before the Board. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his time in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks an increased rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is before the Board. The Veteran contends that his current psychiatric symptoms are related to his time in service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left knee disability, to include as secondary to his right knee disability. He also seeks service connection for a right ankle disability and bilateral foot disabilities. Finally, he seeks an increased rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board finds the evidence is at least in equipoise that the Veteran's right knee disability is a result of active military service, and grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 5, 2007. As such, an earlier effective date for the TDIU rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability and an opinion regarding the etiology of his right hip disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.