Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and service connection were denied as there is no evidence of additional disability resulting from the surgery, and his conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 10, 2001.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis and osteopenia of the left fifth MCP joint, with deficits of flexion and scar tissue and contracture of the tendon sheath, is found to be due to his service injury. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow osteoarthritis, initially manifested during active service, is entitled to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a T8-T9 compression fracture are not related to service or any service-connected disability, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability and its occupational effects. The TDIU issue will be deferred until the increased rating issue is adjudicated.

The Veteran does not have a right shoulder disability that is related to his service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder was not incurred in or caused by his service.,The Veteran meets the minimum schedular requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, but he is currently able to perform sedentary work and has a history of working 30 years before retiring.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted. The initial rating of 60 percent was assigned for coronary artery disease, effective May 1, 2007, with a subsequent increase to 100 percent effective June 10, 2013. Gout received an initial evaluation of 40 percent. Osteoarthritis and post-operative residuals of right shoulder surgery were each assigned an initial evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination addressing his knee and back disabilities, as well as an inadequate medical opinion regarding his low back disability. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination that includes range of motion testing as per Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination and the acquisition of outstanding medical records. The issues include a claim for an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine disability and a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are not related to injuries sustained during periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA). The VA examiner found no evidence linking the current symptoms to service, and concluded that they were more likely due to diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knees are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. His claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are also being remanded as he has not been provided with a VA examination in over six years.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities have resulted in functional loss of use, warranting a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing. However, he is not entitled to a special home adaptation grant due to the award of specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a right elbow disorder, to include degenerative arthritis, that is etiologically related to his military service or is otherwise of service origin.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the requirements of this program due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his representative requesting withdrawal of the appeals for several issues, including those related to service connection and evaluation.