Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and spondylosis, stenosis, and degenerative disc disease, is related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board is remanding the claim for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right ankle disability was caused or accelerated by his December 2009 and March 2010 surgeries, as well as whether any internal fixation devices used were placed in such a way that they prevented compression of the fracture site.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not individually or collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, particularly of a sedentary nature.

The Veteran's left hip disability, including the period from May 8, 2013 to July 31, 2014 when a total hip arthroplasty revision surgery was performed, has been rated at 30 percent since December 21, 2010. The Board found that for the periods prior to and after this period, the disability did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and he is considered unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right shoulder disability, low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he did not complete and return the required VA Form 21-8940, which is necessary to substantiate his claim of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran has not provided sufficient information regarding his employment history.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder is granted, effective June 26, 2006.

The Veteran's chronic prostatitis is rated at 40 percent prior to October 7, 2016 and remains at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's right fourth digit fracture with degenerative arthritis does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is found to be aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. His right knee disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling prior to February 6, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left wrist disabilities, specifically degenerative arthritis and atherosclerosis calcification.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability (psoriasis) and a right foot disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, including cellulitis, polyarthralgia, and osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding of a medical nexus between active service and the Veteran's current right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's right knee disability and provide retrospective medical opinions regarding her history of flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine whether they are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and determine if he has any meniscal symptoms or residuals.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left forearm scar, left lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral pes planus, and IBS. The Veteran was also awarded a higher rating for his right shoulder disability and right knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed, including a VA spine examination and updated treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection of his low back disability will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis with osteonecrosis was rated at 10 percent prior to September 21, 2015. From November 1, 2016 to April 1, 2017, the Veteran had a moderate disability rating for his total left hip arthroplasty. Since April 2, 2017, he has been rated at 50 percent for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, effective May 29, 2008. Service connection was also granted for hypertension, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities, all of which are considered direct service connections based on evidence from service records.