Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected left knee disorder has been denied as the evidence does not show that he is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment solely due to this disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left eyebrow scar, optic nerve damage with defective vision and glaucoma in the left eye, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis of both shoulders, degenerative arthritis of the spine, cerebral concussion with impairment of balance, maxillary sinusitis, residuals dislocation of the 2nd and 3rd toes on the left foot, and burns to the right leg, meet the schedular percentage requirements for a TDIU since February 7, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee with meniscectomy residuals and status post right knee replacement is denied. The current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left leg sciatic nerve condition are not service-connected, as they pre-existed his military service. The right knee disability is also not service-connected as it was not caused by or aggravated by the lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD and bilateral flat feet, as well as his claim for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, were denied by the Board. The appeals are now remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all, as the issues are related to his right thumb and hand disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. However, there is insufficient evidence linking the circulatory system disorder to service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders is found to be related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip conditions are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected back disability. Therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied service connection for left and right ankle sprains, right Achilles tendonitis, and right foot fracture residuals.,The Veteran's low back disability is presumed to have been incurred in service due to the nature of his military occupational specialty.

The Veteran's left knee disability warrants staged ratings of a combined 30 percent (20 percent under Code 5258 and 10 percent under Codes 5003-5260) prior to September 18, 2015; and a combined 20 percent (10 percent under Code 5259 and 10 percent under Codes 5003-5260), but no higher, throughout from that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to December 3, 2007 was denied as there was no evidence showing that forward flexion was 30 degrees or less.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left hip, and lumbar spine disabilities as they were not caused or aggravated by any aspect of his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back strain, residuals of low back surgery, and degenerative arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated during service. The Board also noted that arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and right ankle disability status total ankle arthroplasty, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his period of service. The initial ratings assigned were also upheld.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 11, 2008, and therefore grants an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disorder, left hip osteoarthritis, and initial evaluation of his left foot disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were granted. The Veteran was assigned a 30 percent rating for posttraumatic headaches, separate 10 percent ratings for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis as of September 22, 2008, and an initial 10 percent rating for right ankle arthritis with a chronic tear of the anterior ligament. The Veteran was also granted TDIU.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 21, 2011 for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity quadriceps tendon tear with osteoarthritis, status post repair.