Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings are inextricably intertwined with his TDIU claim. Therefore, all issues have been remanded to obtain additional VA examinations and address any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 70 percent, but he does not have at least one disability rated at 40 percent or more. The Board has referred his TDIU claim to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected knee disabilities, tinnitus, and depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling him for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating issues, effective from March 16, 2012. The Veteran is also being asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940 for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evaluation of the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death. The examiner is asked to determine if there was a causal connection.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased evaluations have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,A TDIU claim has also been identified as being inextricably intertwined with the increased evaluation claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion in a previous VA examination, and requires additional evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is related to service or if it had its onset prior to retirement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as neck condition), and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been granted. The claims for an increased rating for right hip degenerative joint disease, entitlement to SMC based on housebound status, and temporary total evaluation are remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine, post status of lumbar discectomy and fusion has been rated at 50 percent since August 28, 2014. The Board found that there is unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine but not the entire spine, resulting in a denial of a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including his right knee degenerative arthritis and right knee meniscal tear status post-surgical repair, is at least as likely as not related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 16, 2015 for a 20 percent rating for right foot osteoarthritis. However, the appeal is still pending as the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the issue of the Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 5, 2016 due to insufficient evidence. The matter is now referred to the Director of Compensation for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is denied. The current rating of 20% is maintained from November 26, 2014 to June 18, 2018.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent since July 13, 2016. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date and for separate ratings for specific conditions of the knee have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis and lumbar degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of recent evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis and denied service connection for urinary incontinence, secondary to service-connected nephrolithiasis. The decision is based on the Veteran's combat injury during service resulting in chronic pain that led to current osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain is granted an evaluation of 40 percent, effective May 16, 2014. The right ankle disability with degenerative arthritis is granted a 30 percent evaluation beginning April 26, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for psychiatric disability, left shoulder biceps tendonitis and acromioclavicular joint arthrosis and osteoarthritis, right elbow disability, major depressive disorder, other specified trauma and stress related disorder, and anxiety disorder unspecified have been granted. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities were denied. The Veteran’s right ankle disability was granted a rating of 20 percent effective February 3, 2016.