Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic right wrist sprain and right wrist osteoarthritis was granted. The claims for ankle, knee, and left shoulder disabilities were not addressed due to lack of diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have manifested in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The right shoulder disability issue is pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and tension headaches are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by painful limitation of motion and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating as ankylosis or other symptoms not related to limitation of motion are not present.

The Veteran's right hip condition, including Legg-Perthe's Disease and subsequent hip replacement surgery, has been rated at 70 percent since June 5, 2016.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is service-connected and warrants a rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD with MDD, left shoulder condition, right and left knee conditions, pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinnitus, and right knee condition, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Veteran is therefore eligible for TDIU.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right foot disability. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, joint pain (including gout and osteoarthritis), fatigue, intestinal symptoms, abnormal weight loss, and acid reflux are not related to service or exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle disabilities are not related to his active service and therefore denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's other claims have been dismissed due to his withdrawal.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition and accepted the Veteran's timely substantive appeal regarding earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities. The gastrointestinal claim is pending further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left hip disorders are not service-connected, with no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right hip strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not show limitation of motion or functional loss due to pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee is service connected, with a finding in favor of granting service connection based on direct evidence.

The Board finds the evidence is evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, thus granting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were denied as there was no evidence of additional functional loss or impairment due to pain, weakness, fatigue, or incoordination.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal symptoms are due to her already service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and thus, the claim for a gastrointestinal disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, including impingement syndrome, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and rotator cuff tear, had its onset during service. As such, the criteria for secondary service connection have been met.