Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee osteoarthritis, PTSD, CAD, right ankle osteoarthritis, and shrapnel wound scars, are rated at a combined 90 percent. The Board finds that these conditions render the Veteran unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to their severity and nature.

The Veteran's surviving spouse is not found to be in need of aid and attendance or housebound, thus denying entitlement to Special Monthly Pension (SMP).

Service connection is granted for meralgia paresthetica of both lower extremities, L4-5 herniated disc with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis, and femoral acetabular impingement. Service connection is remanded for right hip disorder (including osteoarthritis) and left hip disorder (including osteoarthritis).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of her right hip condition, finding that her congenital hip dysplasia was not aggravated by active service and that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and sleep apnea, as well as his initial rating for MDD, ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 have all been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new VA examination of his cervical spine. The current severity of his degenerative arthritis will be assessed.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 100%, but the Board finds that he has not been unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, as evidenced by his continued employment and participation in vocational rehabilitation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his limited mobility, inability to perform daily activities independently, and the hazards inherent in his environment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including PTSD, MDD, a left knee condition, respiratory issues, and a skin condition. The cases are being returned to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The decision grants restoration of a rating for right knee tenosynovitis with limitation of extension and degenerative arthritis, but the reduction from 30 percent to noncompensable was not proper. The claims for service connection for low back disability, left knee disability, and entitlement to TDIU are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability due to new and material evidence, but has remanded the claims for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee condition was rated based on the limitation of flexion. The evidence does not show that his range of motion in his left knee was limited to 60 degrees or less prior to October 6, 2010.,For the period from December 1, 2011 to September 15, 2015, the Veteran is in receipt of the highest schedular rating for any disability of the left knee or leg in the absence of an amputation. The evidence does not show that his spine was ankylosed or he had Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS).

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the spine is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to his service-connected left ankle fracture, has been reopened and granted. However, the claim for direct service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically whether it is related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, flat feet, left foot heel spur, right foot heel spur, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability (status post left ankle fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation with degenerative arthritis), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims were remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have or has had a current diagnosis of a bilateral hip disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine strain, right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis and femoral acetabular impingement, and limited extension of the left hip have been dismissed as he has withdrawn these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and left thumb disability due to lack of evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran is also awaiting resolution of a Federal Circuit case that may affect his claim for bronchitis.