Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The claim for service connection of the avulsion fracture of the left acetabulum is granted. The Veteran also received compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for his left sciatic nerve injury resulting from a VA total hip replacement surgery in April 2012.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent since July 29, 2009. His bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right thumb osteoarthritis, which may be in the form of post-traumatic arthritis.

The Veteran's disability rating for limited flexion of the left hip due to service-connected degenerative arthritis has been restored from zero percent to twenty percent effective January 11, 2017.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran was denied entitlement to TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for various service-connected disabilities, including lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and GERD. The Veteran is also being asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain his treatment records from private facilities and a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in September 2018, and the Board has dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, bilateral tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and right shoulder scar, were found to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment prior to May 12, 2016. TDIU is granted effective June 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for knee disabilities due to insufficient examination findings and requests a new VA examination.

The Veteran's initial increased evaluation for residuals of right wrist volar ganglion is denied. The Veteran was previously granted a noncompensable rating, and the current appeal seeks an increase to at least 10 percent.,For the period from April 1, 2008, to December 1, 2008, and February 1, 2009, to January 22, 2014, the Veteran's initial increased evaluation for residuals of left lateral meniscectomy with osteoarthritis is denied. The Veteran was previously granted a 10 percent rating, and the current appeal seeks an increase to at least 30 percent.,For the period beginning September 7, 2017, the Veteran's increased evaluation for residuals of left lateral meniscectomy with osteoarthritis (post total knee arthroplasty) is granted. The Veteran was previously rated as 60 percent disabled and now receives a higher rating of 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities as secondary to service connected knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion addressing both knees.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding no evidence of chronicity during or within one year after service and noting insufficient medical nexus to establish a link between the current condition and military service.

The Veteran's back condition (spondylolisthesis) and left ankle condition are granted service connection as direct service connection. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the left ankle condition.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine was granted. Service connection for this condition is denied, as there is no evidence linking it to active service or a chronic disability within one year of separation. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and cervical radiculopathy are also not service connected.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for spondylolisthesis with degenerative arthritis was denied.,Earlier effective dates of May 24, 2010 were granted for the separate ratings of radiculopathy of left and right lower extremities and scar, midline lumbar.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations, particularly regarding functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive use. The AOJ will also review his TDIU claim as it is inextricably intertwined with his right knee disability claims.

The Veteran's low back disability, including arthritis and spondylolisthesis, is granted as service connected due to continuity of symptoms since service. The Board found a nexus between the current condition and his in-service spinal anesthesia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis left knee and right knee (claimed as baker’s cyst) are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.