Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated at 40 percent since September 16, 2015.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent since May 17, 2017.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis have been rated at 20 percent since the appeal period began, effective from July 14, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, with resolution of reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her left knee disabilities and consideration of functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain medical records from private physicians and consider a VHA opinion. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral hand, elbow, wrist, or foot disability that is service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right knee stress fracture was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or arthritis, as there was no compensable limitation of flexion or extension and no arthritis providing additional basis for a separate rating.

The Veteran's current back condition is not shown to have had its onset during service or be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident in service. The Board finds the evidence against a direct service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for mild degenerative arthritis of the right hip from 60 percent to 10 percent was proper due to clear and unmistakable error in the November 2013 rating decision, and the appropriate procedural steps were followed.

The Veteran is granted a 20 percent disability rating for his right shoulder osteoarthritis, effective from the date of the decision. For his right knee sprain prior to November 22, 2016, he is granted a noncompensable disability rating; after that date, he is granted a 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic amputation of left and right 5th toes and right 3rd, 4th toes DIP amputated with toes fused together due to new evidence provided by a private physician. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by a meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis, has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent from April 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his spine and intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board granted a 20 percent initial disability rating for the low back disability from November 19, 2015. The appeal remains before the Board as the maximum available rating has not been assigned.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis is not related to his active duty service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board also found that there was at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis are related to his military service, but did not make a determination on whether these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease, precluded him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU effective February 25, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 30% since August 1, 2017. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating for his left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any currently diagnosed low back disability. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The cervical spine disability was not rated higher than 60 percent, the psychiatric disability prior to May 15, 2014, was not rated higher than 30 percent, and from that date onwards, it was not rated higher than 70 percent. Bilateral hearing loss was also denied.