Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of service connection for various foot, back, right hip, and left knee disabilities are under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not service connected, as it does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure and there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities do not warrant higher ratings based on their current manifestations. The currently assigned 10% rating for each disability is maintained.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals necessitated convalescence to November 31, 2007. The temporary total rating was extended to this date.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left hand, right hand, and right ankle to his active duty service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's right thumb osteoarthritis has been manifested by painful motion, and limitation of motion with a gap between the thumb pad and fingers. The Board finds for the entire period on appeal a 10 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any current headaches, low back disorder, bilateral leg and ankle disorder, hip disorder, and PFB.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine had its onset in service or is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right thumb disorders, including slight degenerative arthritis of the MCP joint and thickening of the cortex of the metacarpal, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their current functional impairment, with the left knee receiving a higher rating due to its more severe symptoms.

The Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as a meniscal tear, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and osteoarthritis, was incurred in active service. The Board grants the claim of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and consider the claim on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence of record meets the minimum threshold for obtaining a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's arthritic conditions are related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the above-mentioned issue.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability. With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was reopened and granted effective January 29, 2010.,Effective January 29, 2010, the Veteran is awarded a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella of both knees.